By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
“THE only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”
This Edmund Burke quote was used by Gleneagles Secondary College principal Sue Peddlesden last week when addressing the school’s students in relation to the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
On Friday 330 Gleneagles students, from years seven to 12, and teachers participated in a walking bus to raise awareness for the national anti-bullying day.
Students started the day from four locations in Endeavour Hills and eventually joined together to walk into the school.
Gleneagles public relations spokesperson Jennifer Riley said the walking bus was a clear demonstration to the local community of the students’ willingness to take a stand against bullying and violence.
“These students and staff, wearing orange (unity) and blue (the stand against violence), played a key role in Gleneagles’ promotion of its anti-bullying and anti-violence stance,” she said.
“The walking bus was the launching pad for a range of related activities and lessons that will roll out over the year.”
The walkers were welcomed into the school and then treated to a well-deserved late breakfast, followed by the reciting of the anti-bullying pledge and the signing of a huge banner to acknowledge the students’ part in the day of action.
In the lead up to the national day against bullying, Gleneagles implemented a range of anti-bullying screensavers on all of the students’ computers, as well as incorporating a HELP button which can quickly assist with any issues of cyber bullying.
“At the end of the day, it’s about teaching kids critical thinking skills and wise decision making,” Eugene Van Der Westhuizen, the school’s Cybersmart co-ordinator, said.
Ms Peddlesden congratulated the students on their early morning walk, advising them not to underestimate the strength of the anti-bullying message they helped promote last week.
Student and teachers at Hampton Park Secondary College also made their stance against bullying loud and clear on Friday.
To mark the annual National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, the school verbally and in writing made a pledge to not bully or be a bystander to bullying.
The school set up a stall in the courtyard where students were invited to make the pledge out loud then sign a banner, which will hang proudly in the school.
Hampton Park Secondary College’s adolescence health nurse Gina Harrex said organisers had a great response to the pledge, from both staff and students.
“Many students were seen to actively encourage their peers to make the pledge and sign the banner,” she said.
“Bullying, unfortunately, is endemic in schools and workplaces.
“As staff and teachers we can put in place policies but we need to empower the students to realise that bullying stops with them and bystanders have the power to reduce the bullying by standing up for others and not condoning bullying by their silence.”
