Say no to bullying… Shay Kirkup, Rhythm Reid, teachers Goivanni Bartuccio and Matt Langfield, and Jarrad Whitehurst.
Camera IconSay no to bullying… Shay Kirkup, Rhythm Reid, teachers Goivanni Bartuccio and Matt Langfield, and Jarrad Whitehurst. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie        www.communitypix.com.au d451456

Standing up to bullying

Toyah ShakespeareEastern Reporter

The school marked the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence with rainbow-themed free dress, workshops and support services displays.

Student services manager Cary Wong said the aim of the day was to promote positive behaviour among students and address issues of cyber bullying.

“Social media, like Facebook, operates a little bit like the playground except there are no teachers on duty,” Mr Wong said. “We want to build a sense of responsibility in our students to become active and responsible digital citizens.”

Mr Wong said years 7 to 10 students took part in workshops that helped them deal with stress and offered strategies to cope with bullying, while also address-ing the bystander mentality.

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At lunchtime Headspace, Salvation Army and the City of Bayswater Youth Advisory Council set up stalls at the school. Money raised went to the local Salvation Army, which currently works with the school’s Year 7 students to tackle the issue of bullying.

Mr Wong said while Hampton SHS registered with Safe Schools coalition last year, they were not running any of their programs. The contentious program aims to promote an inclusive and safe school environment for same sex attracted and gender diverse students.

“The current focus has been on the LBGTIQ community; while we don’t run a formal program that educates and spreads awareness about that, we do want them to feel safe and have a sense of belonging,” he said.