“INCLUSION, inclusion, inclusion” was the name of the game when Tamworth High School held an anti-bullying fun day on Friday.
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Students had devised and organised most of the activities and items for the day, which was the eighth National Day of Action Against Bullying.
An OzTag game between staff and students, face-painting and sweet treats with positive messages were all part of the event.
Student support officer Sue Warden said the day was another angle to the school’s efforts to educate on and respond to bullying.
“The theme for the national action day was imagine a world free from bullying, and our stance for the day was to leave the keyboard behind and come and take part in physical activities with your peers,” Ms Warden said.
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“There were lollipops giving out positive affirmations saying ‘You are talented’, ‘You matter’ … we also had wristbands for sale.”
Ms Warden said the day was “all about promoting a feelgood vibe throughout the school” in a way the students wanted.
“We’ve got to engage our children today, and urge them to say no to bullying – but in a way that draws their attention and they feel ownership as well.
“These are things the students have put forward that they’d like to do.”
Ms Warden said another special activity in the school in the lead-up to the national day was discussions about bullying truths and myths, led by teachers during roll call sessions.
“They talked about how sometimes we make assumptions about people and situations that are unsound, and the generalisations in regard to bullying,” she said.
Some of the statements picked apart were: people who bully others feel power; we are all responsible for making a difference; no one has the right to make other feel unsafe; people who bully others have no fear, and; people who don’t stand up for bullying behaviours are showing weakness.