St Margaret’s students joined schools across the country today, Friday 15 March, for the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA) which encourages students to stand united against bullying and violence in the classroom, in schools and beyond.
The theme for the 2019 NDA was Bullying. No Way! Take action every day.
Head of Primary Mrs Angela Drysdale spoke to the primary students at assembly, emphasising the NDA theme.
“It’s not just about today. It’s remembering at all times and taking action every day, Bullying. No Way!” said Mrs Drysdale.
Student Representative Council (SRC) primary students addressed their peers to raise awareness of what constitutes bullying, to reinforce St Margaret’s zero tolerance of bullying behaviour and remind students about the course of action to be taken if anyone experiences or witnesses bullying at any time in their life.
Together the primary students stood united and took a pledge against bullying.
“I make a COMMITMENT to take a stand against bullying.
I will treat others with RESPECT and KINDNESS.
I will have the COMPASSION to not be a bully
and the COURAGE to not be a bystander.
It is my RESPONSIBILITY to help others being bullied and to report bullying.”
Secondary students displayed their commitment through a number of lunchtime activities including writing visible messages of positivity and anti-bullying slogans on Circular Drive.
SRC students also developed a number of initiatives designed to promote anti-bullying and kindness beyond the NDA.
School Captain and SRC member Isabella Corby-Bakkelund said students were encouraged to sign a ‘Random Acts of Kindness Pledge’.
“It’s an idea the SRC came up with to promote not just a single day of anti-bullying and kindness but to help develop the ongoing habit of kindness.
“The idea is the girls sign up to committing to an act of kindness every day for the rest of Term 1.
“We plan to share the stories of acts of kindness with the whole school to continue to inspire kindness within our community,” said Isabella.
Students also participated in “speed-meeting”, similar to “speed-dating”, where students had the opportunity to meet and have short conversations with other students across all year levels.
“An extension of the kindness concept, “speed-meeting” is also about building new friendships and encourages integration across year levels.
“We hope this will strengthen girls sense of belonging within the community and to protect the community against bullying,” Isabella said.
At St Margaret’s, the school’s core values and The St Margaret’s Way influence the way in which we strive to do things; the way in which we seek to treat people throughout our community; and the way in which we aim to serve others.
In particular, the values of respect and courage guide the community to stand against bullying behaviour and actions within our school community.
Respect: A St Margaret’s girl has respect for herself and others. She understands that she is a member of a diverse community and she takes responsibility as a team member to care, support and cooperate with others.
Courage: A St Margaret’s girl has strength of character and confidence in doing what is right.
St Margaret’s says “No Way” to bullying.