A group of Newbridge students are taking the fight to the bullies with a new film exposing the harm they cause.
Pupils from Newbridge Inclusion Centre premiered Bully, Bully to an audience at the centre’s annual award’s ceremony on July 7.
The group created the film after Penyrheol councillor, and South East Wales AM, Lindsay Whittle highlighted the amount of homophobic bullying in Caerphilly’s schools.
The film follows Jonathan who is targeted by classmates before the bullying spirals out of control creating isolation and turmoil for the youngster.
Over six weeks the pupils wrote, filmed, starred in and produced the film, with the help of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Arts Development Team.
Caymen Perring won best actor at the awards for his performance in the lead role and best actress was won by Samantha Jones for her part as Jonathan’s best friend Katie.
Tony Gallagher, acting deputy headteacher at Newbridge Inclusion Centre said: “Bully, Bully is a response to Lindsay Whittle’s call for zero tolerance to bullying and homophobic taunts in schools.
“The project has increased pupils’ confidence and they hope that their work will be shown to a wider audience.”
Cllr Rhianon Passmore, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This film sends a clear message to everybody that bullying is completely unacceptable both inside and outside of the classroom.
“The outstanding work by pupils shows how passionately they feel about stamping out bullying for good.
“I would like to congratulate them on the brilliant quality of their production techniques and acting skills.
“I hope as many people as possible are able to see this professional, hard hitting film and consider how their actions, no matter how small, can have a huge impact on other people’s lives.”
I hope they give the headteacher of newbridge comprehensive a copy of this because her anti-bullying policy is non existent.