Bullies to be tackled using samurai code of honour (From The Northern Echo)

Bullies to be tackled using samurai code of honour

4:04am Monday 23rd June 2008 in

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SCHOOL children in the North-East will be encouraged to adopt the way of ancient Japanese samurai warriors - in an attempt to stamp out bullying.

The Bushido code of honour, which teaches respect for other people, self-discipline, loyalty and courtesy, dictated the lifestyle samurai warriors were required to follow.

In a partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council's Heritage and Museums Service, the Ian Ramsey Church of England School, in Stockton, agreed to be the initiative's first students.

Thirty year eight pupils have been exploring how the samurai code can help to prevent bullying.

Naomi Beeley, learning and access officer for the borough council's Heritage and Museums Service, said the it was hoped the project would be introduced into secondary schools across the whole Tees Valley.

She said: "Contrary to the popular impression of the samurai as violent warriors, they had a highly developed code of conduct based on respect, honesty and personal responsibility.

"Those values are just as important today. Using the samurai, we hope the young people will be inspired to develop and spread their own code of honour, including a healthy respect for other people.

"If you catch bullies early enough, you don't get them bullying as teenagers or in the workplace. We are hoping to reach secondary schools in the whole of the Tees Valley."

The pupils will be shown an original suit of samurai armour at the art gallery today, as part of the project.

Kelly Crotty, head of year eight, said: "We are delighted to be part of this project because our school has a strong anti-bullying policy and we want to make it as safe and enjoyable a learning environment as possible.

"We have discussed how we can make links between samurai culture and anti-bullying and try to provide a standard of behaviour coupled with what the samurai did and how they coped; how did they go through life and how we can make these links real to the 21st Century.

"Pupils also looked at how the code can help them in their school life."