At Wellington College International Hangzhou, we take pride in our strong pastoral care and wellbeing focus, ensuring that every pupil feels safe, valued and supported. That's why Anti-Bullying Week is such an important event in our school calendar.

This year, from Monday, 10 November, to Friday, 14 November, our school community came together to raise awareness about bullying, promote kindness and empower pupils to stand up against harmful behaviour. Through lessons, discussions and special activities, we reinforced our commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all.

Anti-Bullying Week isa global campaign that encourages schools to educate pupils about the natureand impact of bullying, promote a culture of kindness, respect and inclusion,and empower pupils to speak up with confidence if they experience or witnessany form of bullying.

Bullying is defined as repeated, intentional behaviour that hurts someone physically or emotionally. It can be verbal, physical, online (cyberbullying), or involve social exclusion. However, pupils need to understand that a one-off disagreement or falling out with friends is not the same as bullying.

Bullying can have serious effects on a child's mental health, confidence and academic progress.

At Wellington College International Hangzhou, we believe that the best way to prevent bullying is through education. We aim to help pupils recognise bullying and understand its consequences, develop empathy and emotional intelligence, and feel confident in sharing any concerns with trusted adults.

By addressing bullying proactively, we create a positive school culture where every pupil can thrive.

Every class took part in a dedicated Anti-Bullying Week lesson, where pupils explored what bullying is (and what it isn’t), learned about the different forms it can take, and discussed how to be an upstander — someone who takes action to stop bullying by reporting what they see to a trusted adult.

These lessons reinforced our school values of courage, kindness and respect.

To kick off the week, pupils and staff wore odd socks in a vibrant celebration of individuality and diversity.

Odd Socks Day sends a powerful message that everyone is unique — and that's something to be celebrated. It also reminds pupils that bullying can sometimes occur when someone is perceived as 'different', whether because of their appearance, interests, or background.

By wearing odd socks, we show that differences should be accepted, not mocked.

It was a fun and meaningful way to start important conversations about inclusion and respect.

At Wellington College International Hangzhou, we encourage our pupils to take an active role in building a kind, respectful and supportive school community. They can make a difference by speaking up when they see bullying and reporting it to a teacher or trusted adult, showing kindness through small but meaningful actions, refusing to join in or laugh along when bullying happens, and offering support to others — because even a few kind words can make someone feel valued and less alone.

Anti-Bullying Week is more than just a campaign - it's a reminder that we all have a responsibility to foster a culture of respect and kindness. At Wellington College International Hangzhou, we are committed to ensuring that every pupil feels safe, valued and empowered to be their best selves.

Let's carry the spirit of Anti-Bullying Week forward every day - because together, we will continue to create a school where bullying has no place.