Leeds Rhinos mascot, Ronnie the Rhino, is helping Leeds Rhinos Foundation deliver important anti bullying messages as part of Anti-Bullying Week which started this week.
The theme of this year's Anti Bullying Week is to choose respect over bullying. After consultation with over 800 children, teachers and members the Anti-Bullying Alliance found that the top priority was showing that bullying is a behaviour choice, and that children and young people can set a positive example by opting to respect each other at school, in their homes and communities, and online.
Staff from Leeds Rhinos Foundation, who work in schools across Leeds, will deliver a special anti bullying assembly which gives advice to children who may be experiencing bullying. To help spread the message the charity got help from the Leeds Rhinos mascot, Ronnie the Rhino, who features in a video that will be played in the assembly.
Gareth Cook, Community Manager at Leeds Rhinos Foundation said: “We are privileged to be able to work in over 100 primary schools in Leeds and to have the opportunity to teach children about the important messages of respect and self-confidence.
“The video we use in our assembly stars the popular mascot Ronnie the Rhino, which we have found to be a really effective way to engage with the children and we hope it encourages all children to feel valued and comfortable in being themselves.
“If children are being bullied it is important that they talk to someone and not to keep it bottled up. Teachers and parents are there to help or there are places online to get advice such as the anti-bullying alliance website.”
For more information on anti-bullying week visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk or for more information on Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s work in schools email gareth.cook@leedsrhinosfoundation.org