PUPILS at Craigbank Primary have just completed a week of activities designed to alert them to the different types of bullying and to help them to develop strategies to deal with bullying behaviour.

The focus in the P1-3 classes was on verbal, physical and social bullying. All classes shared stories recommended by the Library Service and worked with Lornshill Academy pupils to produce artwork for their Hands are not for Hurting campaign.

The focus in the P4-5 classes was peer pressure. Pupils used interactive resources to promote discussion and were visited by PC Neil Cheyne, the community police officer.

The P6-7 focus was on cyberbullying. All three classes watched a drama performed by the Hopscotch Theatre Company and then participated in a follow-up anti-bullying workshop. PC Cheyne visited all classes and pupils wrote stories and letters on a bullying theme. In addition, P6 classes planned and performed an assembly about bullying to their parents and the rest of the school. P7 pupils produced an information leaflet.

Linda Andrews, Craigbank's depute headteacher said, "All areas also created displays of their work in the Open Areas.

"We hope that our pupils are able to identify unacceptable bullying behaviour and have developed the knowledge, personal safety skills, strategies and confidence to address bullying behaviour." Councillor Ellen Forson, convenor for education, added: "I'm delighted to hear that the pupils at Craigbank have been working hard to address bullying. This week of activity was an informative and fun way to raise awareness of a very serious issue."