STUDENTS are encouraged to put their hand up and say “no way” to bullying today in celebration of National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.
For almost a decade the event has provided South East schools with the chance to focus on bullying prevention and create a safer community for children and young people.
McDonald Park Primary School is among the region’s schools marking the national day, with student well-being leader Lia Jordan highlighting a number of activities held to ensure students are aware of the impacts bullying can have.
“Each class has written a pledge about how as a community they will stand up and be a voice,” she said.
“At assembly we will read out the pledges and classes will agree on how they can make the community better.
“We need to talk about strategies they use everyday to support each other and themselves.”
Ms Jordan said the school had various programs to help empower students to stand up for themselves.
“We register for Bully. No Way! and its website also has lesson plans so teachers tend to follow that,” she said.
“We talk about how children think, feel and all emotions they go through when involved in bullying.”
A casual clothes day will be held today at the school to raise funds for Bully Zero.
“The school leadership team recently decided to support Bully Zero as it provides information through school sessions in an interactive and interesting way,” she said.
“They wanted to put the money somewhere into our community and we thought that would be a great way to do it.”
Ms Jordan said the school had a “holistic” approach to anti-bullying.
“Daily we have a restorative practice at the school where we talk about what students are feeling and work through problems in order to prevent and solve them,” she said.
“If children are aware of the impact bullying can have on people, especially consistent bullying, they may show empathy to others which can change people’s behavior.”
Ms Jordan said online bullying also needed to be given “serious” consideration.
“We are focusing and understanding that words matter, especially for older students,” Ms Jordan said.
“People have to be accountable for the words they say to others.
“The kids tend to think not being physically present makes things easier and sometimes they do not think when they are home in their bedrooms.”
Ms Jordan said online interactions can escalate dramatically.
“Because a lot things happen so quickly online it can be harder to prevent bullying when it goes outside the classroom,” she said.
“The children are successful at screen-shotting it and reporting things to us which is fantastic.
“It is about raising the awareness for parents and caretakers as well as students, education is key.”
Although precaution is necessary, Ms Jordan does not think devices should be “taken away” for children.
“There is no point taking it away as technology is now a life-essential for their generation,” she said.
“With our vision about being engaged problem solvers the student representative council and school community are looking at helping each other and preventing bullying one step at a time.”
