YOUNGSTERS across Monmouthshire recently took became the focus of various anti-bullying projects looking to shed light on the importance of child welfare.

Last week school pupils took part in various activities for Anti-Bullying Week and National Safeguarding Week, which had started on November 13.

At Goytre Fawr Primary, students worked all week on anti-bullying activities with every class delivering an anti-bullying message.

Year Five pupils wrote poems from the perspective of the bully, the victim and bystander, while Year Six created an infographic using statistics about bullying.

Acting Headteacher Lisa Wilkinson said: “Anti-bullying is something we take very seriously both during this week and throughout the year.”

Elsewhere St. Mary’s R.C. Primary School in Chepstow marked Anti-Bullying Week with five days of activities to make pupils more aware of the challenges of bullying and the importance of respecting each other.

On Wednesday, Key Stage 2 pupils celebrated Respect Day and created expressive art and prose to explore the themes of human rights, personal respect and equality. Meanwhile, the school’s foundation phase classes made crafted goods on the subjects of love and respect.

The council’s licensing team continued its long-standing relationship with Gwent Police by helping with the launch of Operation Makesafe. The scheme focusing on ensuring people working in the business sector are aware of the early earning signs of child sexual exploitation.

The county’s leisure centres also took part promoting Operation Makesafe by displaying leaflets and posters, while centre managers as well as school governors have undergone safeguarding training.

Monmouth’s Drybridge Centre played host to the council’s Local Safeguarding Network Practitioner Forum, a body that links safeguarding professionals from various agencies.

Cllr Penny Jones, cabinet member with responsibility for safeguarding, said: “The cumulative impact of bullying can affect the mental health and well-being of both children and adults alike so that is why this week we’re highlighting its consequences and how we can minimise its effect.

“Monmouthshire has taken great steps in recent years to prioritise safeguarding and as Gwent Police launch Operation Makesafe we’re delighted to work with them and other agencies to rid the community of the scourge of child sexual exploitation.”

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