By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
Bullies to
be tackled
KURUNJANG Primary School students tackled bullying head on last week with the help of players from rugby league team Melbourne Storm.
The visit from Storm players was part of the NRL Community Carnival Tackling Bullying campaign which will run for four weeks and takes Rugby League stars far beyond their backyard in one of the largest community initiatives in Australian sport.
Kurunjang Primary School student wellbeing co-ordinator Wendy Mccall said the event was focussed on empowering students and educating them on all forms of bullying.
Ms Mccall said the school is always looking at new ways to tackle bullying and promote positive behaviour in its students.
“When a student’s self-esteem is high, they’re not worried about what other students think,” she told Star.
“From Prep they are taught about being good winners and good losers… there is bullying everywhere, at our school we focus on teaching our students to walk away.
“We want our kids to have the confidence to walk away and tell a teacher, even though that can be hard to do.”
NRL Interim Community, Culture and Diversity General Manager Mark deWeerd said the NRL is in the unique position to make a positive social difference.
“Social media means that it’s easier than ever for bullies to target victims and, unfortunately, the problem is increasing every year in Australian schools,” Mr deWeerd said.
“We hope to give children the confidence and knowledge to cope with bullying and its effects through the powerful vehicle of rugby league.”
