Every three weeks, one in four Australian school students between the age of eight and 14 experience some form of bullying.
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That’s why Mudgee Public School pupils learned how to say ‘NO’ to bullying on Thursday, in the lead up to Friday’s National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.
And to make sure the students didn’t forget how important the day was, they were made to wear an orange accessory on their clothes – a symbol that bullying won’t be tolerated.
In addition to this, students signed their name on the annual Mudgee Public School bullying pledge and spelled out ‘Bullying No Way’ as a way of abiding to it.
The lettering will go on display at the school administration block. Classes have also been participating in lessons about how to identify bullying, how to say no to bullying, the importance of reporting bullying and how to help friends and classmates if they are being bullied.
Wellbeing and Learning Support Team Coordinator Lisa Smith thinks the students are very receptive to the program and are learning the differences between bullying and one-off disagreements.
“There’s a difference between bullying and day-to-day mishaps kids will have,” Smith said.
“The students are aware of these variances and know the definition of bullying – something that’s repetitive.
“Kids have their arguments but we want the children to distinguish the difference between that and actual bullying.”
The children know Mudgee Public says no to bullying continually but having a national day to participate in makes it a bit more real for them.”
Another focal point for the program, that’s been running at Mudgee Public for four years now, is to raise awareness around cyber bullying which is an issue that might get worse before it gets better.
“We’re very switched on to cyber bullying as well. Younger and younger kids are accessing social media and interactive games online,” she said.
“We also incorporate that into it as well as far as who to tell and what information to not put out there.
“We can help whether it’s online or in person.”
Various art works to represent the learning will be displayed around the school over the coming weeks.