The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) has announced the winners of its recent report writing competition, as part of its activities marking Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 5 February 2024).
Drawing on the key theme of RESPECT, which was at the heart of NIABF’s Anti-Bullying Week campaign last November, this competition invited young people from across Northern Ireland to reflect on learning and write a short report on the theme “RESPECT in the Cyber World”.
Commenting as winners were announced, NIABF’s Regional Coordinator, Lee Kane, said:
“Once again we are delighted to see the level of thought that children and young people in our schools and communities have put in to this competition. The judges read every entry received and were amazed at the wonderful and creative ways the young people had approached this important topic.
“In our modern world, we have a responsibility to help our children and young people grow and understand how to treat others with respect in both physical and virtual spaces. Wherever we go and whoever we meet, it is essential that children remember the importance of respect for others.”
Winners, who will receive their prizes at a special ceremony later this month, are:
Cara Cochrane, St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballycruttle, Downpatrick
Lily Traynor, St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballycruttle, Downpatrick
Ellie Colwell, Victoria Park Primary School, Belfast
Callum Cochrane, St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballycruttle, Downpatrick
Nadine McAlister, Loreto College, Coleraine
David Farren, Loreto College, Coleraine
The competition has been supported by the E-Safety Forum of the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). Commenting on the judging, Teresa McAllister, Professional Officer at SBNI, said:
“It is brilliant to see so many young people taking the time to put pen to paper and share their thoughts on the theme of RESPECT in the Cyber World. Learning how to treat each other, both in the physical world and when online, is an essential lesson for today’s children and young people and we are delighted to support this great initiative that gets children thinking about how they show respect in all aspects of their lives.”
The Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) is a network of statutory and non-statutory organisations working together to deliver consistent anti-bullying messages for our children and young people. NIABF is convened by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) NI and funded by the Department of Education.