mmg.com.au

Bullying no way — take a stand together.

That was the message of the day as St Luke’s Catholic Primary students stormed the Maude St Mall for a special awareness march last Friday.

Year 5 and 6 students organised the event and chanted and carried banners to promote National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence on Friday, March 15.

Principal Steve Hicks said students gave out posters to local businesses to display and conducted surveys with shoppers about bullying.

‘‘Bullying’s an issue for everyone and we’re not addressing it if we don’t have strategies for it,’’ Mr Hicks said.

‘‘Bullying can cause great harm.’’

Mr Hicks said St Luke’s had regular bullying audits and strategies to help students identify and recognise exactly what bullying was and to help keep each other safe and happy.

Year 6 student Lauren Formica said she enjoyed being a part of the event.

‘‘We have been up and down the mall and we are raising awareness for bullying because the 15th of March, which is next Friday, it is bullying no way day,’’ the 11-year-old said.

‘‘We can just be aware that all around the world, bullying is happening and that we cannot get rid of it, but we can help the situation.’’

Teacher Michelle Hicks said students would use the information from the surveys in graphs as part of their maths studies.

The National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence is an annual event that encourages schools to ‘‘strengthen their everyday messages that bullying and violence at school are not okay at any time’’.

For more information go to www.bullyingnoway.gov.au