Pledge to support non-violence

Pretty Beach Public School students in Years 3, 4 and 5 pledged to support non-violence against women in recognition of White Ribbon Day on Monday, November 25.

White Ribbon is the world's largest male-led movement to end men's violence against women.

White Ribbon Australia seeks to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate men's violence against women, by engaging boys and men to lead social change.

The day signals the start of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women, which ends on Human Rights Day on December 10.

The students looked at some of the statistics of violence against women and boys in the class pledged to support non-violence against women by staying non-violent and non-silent about these issues in their own lives.

Students in the class created artworks entitled, See the evil, Hear the evil and Speak the evil.

"This represents the common saying and underlying attitude of the past where such issues and acts of violence were largely ignored and seen as private 'issues'," said Year 3/4/5 class teacher Ms Michaela Bridgman.

"Students created faces with words they felt represented the issues and glued hands over the mouths, eyes and ears.

"On these hands mouths, eyes and ears were drawn to symbolise this silence is not to continue.

"We must promote non-violence, non-silence in our community.

"Every year a White Ribbon Art and Poetry Exhibition is held in Sydney's Parliament House. Artworks and poems are collected from students from around Sydney's primary and secondary schools.

"Unfortunately the Central Coast is not yet able to contribute to this inspiring exhibition, but teachers and students hope such a wonderful endeavour will soon be open to them in future years," said Ms Bridgman.

Newsletter, 28 Nov 2013

Jane Rees, Pretty Beach Public School