Anti-Bullying Week

Standing Together for Anti-Bullying Week at Penketh Gymnastics Club!

At Penketh Gymnastics Club, we believe that respect, kindness, and team spirit are the building blocks of a supportive and fun training environment. That’s why we’re thrilled to take part in Anti-Bullying Week this year, with this year’s theme of “Show Respect.” It’s a perfect opportunity to focus on what makes our club special: being part of #TeamPenketh means lifting each other up, always striving to be our best, and making sure everyone feels included and valued.

Our commitment to creating a positive and inclusive environment is also reflected in our Anti-Bullying Week display set up by our dedicated Welfare Team in the parents’ room. Central to the display is our Kindness Tree—a vibrant reminder of the importance of respect and support in our gym community. Gymnasts are encouraged to contribute by adding their own “kindness leaf,” where they write down an example of how they show kindness to others in the gym. Each kindness leaf helps bring our tree to life and serves as a daily reminder of the values we hold dear at Penketh Gymnastics Club.

Crazy Hair Week!

Since our gymnasts train barefoot, we’re swapping the national “Odd Socks” tradition for a fun Crazy Hair Week! We invite all our gymnasts to get creative with wild, colourful hairstyles to show their spirit and stand together against bullying. Whether it’s colourful wigs, wacky styles, or glittery accessories, we can’t wait to see the fantastic creations that show how unique and vibrant #TeamPenketh really is! (please do avoid using anything which may rub off and damage equipment)

Team Spirit Hands

We’re also excited to introduce our Team Spirit Hands activity! Each gymnast has been given a Team Spirit Hand template to decorate and personalize with their pledge to “Show Respect.” We encourage everyone to think about what respect and team spirit mean to them—maybe it’s cheering on a friend, listening to their coach, or helping a teammate with a tricky skill. Every returned hand will go up on our “Respect Rope” display in the gym, creating a visible chain of commitment to kindness and respect. Plus, each participant who hands in their decorated pledge will be entered into a prize draw to win a £10 tuck shop voucher and a Penketh water bottle. If your gymnast has not been given a template please ask for one in the gym.

Supporting Parents and Carers

As parents and carers, you play a vital role in helping your child navigate social interactions and build positive relationships. We understand that concerns about bullying are natural, and the good news is that you are not alone. The Anti-Bullying Alliance, in collaboration with schools and community groups, provides excellent resources to support families. To help you bring Anti-Bullying Week 2024 to life at home, they have developed a FREE Parent and Carer Pack full of ideas for conversations, activities, and ways to reinforce positive behaviours. You can access the pack here.

Penketh Gymnastics Club’s Anti-Bullying Policy

Our Anti-Bullying Policy reflects our commitment to providing a safe, encouraging space for every gymnast. In alignment with British Gymnastics’ safeguarding policies, we work to ensure that all interactions within our club—whether among gymnasts, coaches, or parents—uphold the highest standards of care and respect. Bullying of any kind, including emotional, physical, and cyberbullying, has no place in #TeamPenketh, and we respond to all concerns with care and professionalism.

During Anti-Bullying Week and beyond, we strive to build a positive culture in which every gymnast feels supported and valued. If you have questions about our Anti-Bullying Policy, Crazy Hair Week, or Team Spirit Hands, please reach out to the coaches in the gym or via email to admin@penkethgymnastics.co.uk. Together, we are creating a community where every gymnast can enjoy, believe, and achieve to their fullest potential!