A new online resource to support schools and their communities in tackling bullying has just launched at www.BullyingFree.NZ.
The site features the experiences of schools and students as well as bullying prevention research, resources and interactive tools.
The launch marks the start of Bullying-free NZ Week 16-20 May which schools around the country are marking with a range of bullying prevention awareness activities.
The new site features video clips made by Year 7 and 8 students from St Francis de Sales School in Wellington, made especially for Bullying-free NZ Week with support from their local NZ Police School Community Officer.
NZ Police Community Services Manager Inspector Paula Holt said the project was a great example of schools working with their wider school community to get the message out that bullying is never OK.
“Police are committed to partnering with communities, in particular schools, to help reduce bullying. But this isn’t just a school or a police problem and that’s a real strength of the work that the multi-agency group has initiated to address what is a very serious problem amongst young people in New Zealand.
“We also seized the opportunity to work with St Francis De Sales children to capture their voices as part of the first Bullying-free NZ Week. I think these videos really make the issue of bullying come alive in some creative and thought provoking ways.”
BullyingFree.NZ is the latest initiative from the Bullying Prevention Advisory Group a collaboration between 17 organisations committed to reducing bullying in NZ schools.
The Group, which features representatives from across the education, social, justice and health sectors as well as Sport NZ and NetSafe, formed in 2013 after feedback from principals indicated schools needed more support to manage bullying.
The collaboration has previously produced Bullying Prevention and Response: A Guide for Schools, a comprehensive guide which has been welcomed by schools.
Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills said: “This website is a really good example of taking the messages from the Guide, and what we’ve learned from schools and young people, and making that more accessible. You can look at this website and know that what we’re suggesting has worked already in schools and can work in your school.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
For media enquiries regarding Inspector Paula Holt please contact Philippa Ormrod, Police Media Advisor, on philippa.ormrod@police.govt.nz
For media enquiries regarding the Children’s Commissioner please contact Anna Santos: a.santos@occ.org.nz T: (04) 495 7805 | M: 027 696 5101