Students attend anti-bullying show

All Woy Woy Public School students have attended an anti-bullying and resilience-building show, according to principal Ms Ona Buckley.

The school's Parents and Citizens Association subsidise the cost for all students to attend a show, The Human Race, delivered by student-educative theatre producers Brainstorm Productions.

Assistant principal and head teacher of well-being, Ms Michelle Williams, said the show was a part of the school's commitment to providing a safe, supportive and respectful teaching and learning community that promoted student wellbeing.

"As parents and carer's, it's important to understand exactly what types of behaviours constitute bullying and which do not," she said.

"Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.

"Cyber bullying refers to bullying conducted using information and communication technologies.

"Bullying can involve humiliation, domination, intimidation, victimisation and all forms of harassment including that based on gender, race, disability, sexuality or status.

"Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long term effects on those involved including bystanders."

The show aimed to provide strategies to help reduce the incidence of bullying at school and online, and to encourage kindness, respect, empathy and inclusion.

The show tells of two students, Dunc and Deedee, who are being bullied and excluded by their peers.

The pair are horrified to find themselves forced into in a "most embarrassing kid in the school" competition by their peers.

In the show, the pair use their skills in conflict resolution, problem solving and assertiveness to come out on top in their distressing situation.

Ms Williams said: "All students have the right to expect that they will spend each day in and out of the classroom free of bullying.

"Students therefore have the responsibility to behave in such a way that does not interfere with this right.

"The expectation at Woy Woy Public School is that students will not participate in violence, discrimination, harassment or intimidation," she said.

Ms Williams said parents and carers were welcome to contact the school or their child's classroom teacher if they had any concerns about their child's wellbeing.

SOURCE:

Newsletter, 7 Feb 2020

Ona Buckley, Woy Woy Public School