There was a sea of white at Bundaberg South State School as 150 students and their teachers spread the important message of White Ribbon Day.
Principal Narelle Clarke said the school had been a White Ribbon school for four years and students regularly took part in the annual event.
The school leadership team of Lucy Garrett, Samuel Braddon, Canning Piddock, Sophie Beresford and Wyatt Lintott-Bott stepped up to the forefront to spread the message that violence is never okay.
“Today we walked around the school to show that we want to stop abusive behaviour between boys and girls and men and women,” Lucy said.
“We need to make sure to respect others even if they aren’t the same race or gender – everyone should be treated the same,” Samuel said.
Narelle said during the day the students took part in tying white ribbons to the school’s fence to send a message to the community.
“We walk around the school to promote the message to the community,” Narelle said.
“Then the classes all tie a white ribbon to the fence and make a pledge.”
Narelle said throughout the year, students and teachers reinforced the message that violence is never okay to each other, and the annual White Ribbon Day gave them all a reminder to focus on positive relationships.
“White Ribbon Day is about anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it, it doesn’t matter what their gender is,” Canning said.
“If you are having to deal with violence at home you should talk to someone; there is the Kids Helpline or you could talk to a staff member at school for help,” Sophie said.
“If you are being disrespectful to a female you should stop it – it is not right,” Wyatt said.
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