Today I visited Taylor Primary School for the ninth annual National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA).
ACT public schools are overwhelmingly safe and inclusive places of learning and teaching for around 49,000 students and 3,800 staff. Schools are not immune from community issues like bullying or violence and that's why days such as today are so important for reminding the community that we all have a role to play.
The NDA is Australia's key anti-bullying campaign for schools. It is a positive day of action, providing opportunities to highlight the ways in which schools and their communities work to create positive, safe learning environments and raise awareness of initiatives.
In the lead up to today, Taylor Primary School's community participated in a two-week learning inquiry; 'How do we contribute to a safe community?'.
While school's ACT wide do a great deal to prevent bullying and protect students, we can achieve more when the extended school community is involved. Students, families and whole communities are central to preventing bullying and creating a respectful and inclusive school.
The student led exhibition that I visited today shared and celebrated how their understanding and learnings has strengthened the whole-school approach to the prevention of bullying, which in turn will have a significant impact on learning and wellbeing outcomes for students.
It was great visiting with these students today to see their strong-held belief that bullying, and harassment have no place in Canberra public schools.
