PUPILS at Newbridge Inclusion Centre have premiered a short film they created to tackle bullying in the classroom.

The budding filmmakers showed the film to an invited audience of parents, carers, teachers, friends and family at the centre’s annual achievement awards.

The film called ‘Bully, Bully’ centres on the effects of bullying, inside and outside the classroom, and the far reaching impact bullying has not only on victims but also their friends and families.

The story focuses on Jonathan, who is picked on by a number of his classmates. As the film progresses the bullying gets out of control and more of his friends turn against him, leaving him isolated.

Pupils produced the film over six weeks, researching the issue of bullying and finding case studies and statistics on which to base their script, before working on all aspects of production and post-production as well as starring alongside their teachers in the lead roles.

The film was supported by Caerphilly council’s arts development team, who gave advice, support and equipment.

David Chamberlain, senior arts development officer praised the project as he awarded prizes for best actor to Caymen Perring for his lead role as Jonathan and best actress to Samantha Jones for her part of Katie, Jonathan’s best friend.

Tony Gallagher, acting deputy head teacher at Newbridge Inclusion Centre said: “Bully, Bully is a response to Welsh Assembly Member 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 the 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, and I would like to congratulate them on the brilliant quality of their production techniques and acting skills," she said.