BACKFLIPS AGAINST BULLYING

Y7 – Yr11

Sophie and Luka backflipped into Donald on Monday, performing the entertaining and insightful ‘Backflips Against Bullying.’ Through interactive stories that showcased their acrobatics skills, Sophie and Luka demonstrated scenarios of different types of bullying, including cyberbullying, physical, verbal, and social.

Not only did this engage students in identifying when a situation is not okay, they also provided strategies to deal with bullies. Our wonderful Merchetti was instructed by presenter Luka to verbally bully him, and Luka demonstrated how responding with kindness, instead of getting defensive and upset, can be an effective strategy to improving the outcome of the situation.

Sophie spoke about her experiences of bullying at school and connected with the audience by speaking about how she was on the bullying side – leading to the victim actually changing schools. She reflected on how she wished that she had been an upstander rather than submitting to the peer pressure of isolating this girl.

Sophie and Luka addressed the dire consequences of bullying, speaking about depression, suicide and domestic violence, but pushed the message that we have the power to change these outcomes. We have the power in how we respond to a situation, and to reflect on our past behaviours and become a better person.

To demonstrate this power, Luka and Sophie asked our students to be brave in more ways than one. Their final act was flipping over a number of brave and courageous students, and our saviour in case things went wrong, Mr. Calvert.

Thank you to these two amazing presenters for an interesting and impactful performance.

Dolly’s Dream Workshop

Dolly’s Dream was created by Kate and Tick Everett following the shattering loss of their 14-year-old daughter, Dolly, to suicide, after ongoing bullying. Kate and Tick’s goal is to prevent other families walking this road. They want to change the culture of bullying by addressing the impact of bullying, anxiety, depression and youth suicide, through education and direct support to young people and families. Dolly’s Dream is proudly brought to you by the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.

Declan from the Dolly’s Dream organisation visited Donald High School on Wednesday 21st August to deliver two presentations to Yr7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 students. Declan was relatable to the students and asked many thought provoking questions of the students.

Digital dilemmas - know what to do! – For Year 7 & 8 students

Students explored the concepts of Banter V’s Bullying; Upstander V’s Bystander and the importance of knowing where to get Support and how to Report. Students gained knowledge and understanding about how to make the internet a safe and kind place for all.

Digital dramas - take control! – For year 9 – 11 students

Students explored the concepts of Bullying- the ugly truth; Show up- for yourself and others and the importance of knowing where to get Support and how to Report. Students gained knowledge and understanding about how to make the internet a safe and kind place for all.

He gave the students lots of advice around how to stay safe when using the internet / texting etc.

Dolly’s Dream offers a free support line for people who need it most. No referral is needed, and the line is open to anyone who needs support. Please note our support line is delivered by Kids Helpline in partnership with Dolly’s Dream - 0488 881 033

Year 9 Personal Development Day!

What a fantastic opportunity for Yr. 9 students, filled with amazing guest presenters. Miss O’Brien and Ms Upton were the facilitators of the day.

The day started with a presentation from Alisha McLaughlin representing headspace. Alisha spoke around mental health and wellbeing. Alisha spoke to the student about stress, anxiety and self-care. She highlighted how important self-care is for good mental health. Headspace offers 10 free counselling sessions and any youth 15 years or over can self-refer. Some of the ideas students gave for their own self-care were: Hanging with family and friends, doing things you enjoy, physical fitness, taking a nap and getting outside.

A student favourite was Fleur Armstrong and her very powerful story. At the age of 21 Fleur acquired a motor vehicle brain injury and survived to tell her story. Seven years on and Fleur is still learning how to walk and navigate through life – demonstrating steer determination and resilience or as she put it “GRIT”! Three key messages relating to the students were: “Delegate decision” and ‘Balanced decision” and “Impulse decision.” Her story highlights just how fragile life can be and that one small “impulse” decision can have a life changing consequence.

Matt Keane who attended Wycheproof High School in his younger years, spoke to the students about authenticity and sexual equality. He spoke openly and honestly to the students about his journey from adolescents through to adulthood and the challenges he has faced identifying as gay. He also spoke about how important self-care is and that it demonstrates strength to seek mental health.

The last session saw the students demonstrate their strength, flexibility and resilience with a Balance session ran by Mandy Wells from Fitness Depot.

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