Anti-bullying focus for January

Throughout January at Shetland College UHI we will be focussing on raising awareness of anti-bullying and encouraging students to engage with creating a new anti-bullying policy.

We think it's important for students to have their own anti-bullying policy. We also think it's important for Shetland College UHI to make a bold statement - bullying is not acceptable. To do that we need everyone (students and staff) to share their thoughts on what bullying is and why it's not acceptable. That thoughts, opinions and suggestions will then be used to put in place clear guidance for everyone.

In Briggistanes, our canteen and social area, there is a new display at the Equality, Diversity and Sustainability board. There are post-it notes on display along with key statements or questions that we are asking students to think about. Students are asked to respond to these statements using the post-it notes provided.

Jacqui Clark, Student Engagement & Communications Assistant at Shetland College, said "We can't put in place a clear anti-bullying policy unless students tell us how they want to be treated as an individual, what the college and its environs means to everyone and what students believe bullying behaviour to be."

If students have any enquiries or are concerned about bullying they are asked to speak to a member of staff in D4 or email sctalkbox@uhi.ac.uk. Regular information posts will be shared through student bulletins all month as well as through social media. The display in Briggistanes will be updated weekly too as will the plasma screen in reception.