Primary school pupils shape up for campaign
Recently, students from Oak Field Primary and Ysgol Gwaun y Nant schools came together to create a human white ribbon, in aid of White Ribbon UK.
Year 5 and 6 pupils from the neighbouring schools dressed in white boiler suits, before heading out to Oak Field’s playing field.
Teachers were on hand to help organise the children in the shape of the awareness ribbon, a symbol adopted by over 1,000 causes worldwide. The process was captured by a drone, which hovered 50 metres above the children.
“As a school community, we would always support a cause like this. It gives us the chance to show that we are against any kind of violence, be it against adults or children. It is important that we develop our pupils to be citizens who stand against violence.
“As a school, we work hard to educate our children on the effects of violence. We want them know that it is important to ask for help if they’re suffering or are a witness to violence.” - Rhydian Lloyd, headteacher at Ysgol Gynradd Gwaun y Nant.
Julie Aviet, councillor for Gibbonsdown ward and Sandra Perkes, councillor for Court Ward and Domestic Violence Champion both attended the event.
“It’s fantastic to see the two schools working together to draw attention to the cause. The Safer Vale partnership is doing some great work in our schools to raise awareness about domestic violence.” - Sandra Perkes said.
Julie Grady, Domestic Abuse Manager for Safer Vale and White Ribbon Champion for the Vale, was the driving force behind the idea. Julie has been working closely with the Key Stage 2 pupils, running workshops on understanding healthy relationships.
White Ribbon UK was founded in 2005 and is part of the global movement to end male violence against women. The organisation works with men and boys to challenge male cultures that lead to harassment, abuse and violence.