Wellbeing
Bullying – No Way Week at St Luke’s Catholic College
Last week, St Luke’s Catholic College has been recognising Bullying – No Way Week, with students across the College participating in a range of lessons, Student Development Days and activities designed to strengthen our shared commitment to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive school community.
Throughout the week, students have explored what bullying and cyberbullying can look like, the impact these behaviours can have on others, and the important role every member of our community plays in preventing them. A strong focus has been placed on helping students develop the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to respond appropriately when they experience or witness bullying.
Through age-appropriate learning experiences, students have discussed strategies such as speaking up, seeking support from a trusted adult, reporting harmful online behaviour, supporting others who may be targeted, and understanding the difference between being a bystander and being an upstander. Students have also been encouraged to consider how their own words, actions and online behaviour contribute to the culture of our College.
Our Student Development Days have provided further opportunities for students to engage in meaningful discussions about respectful relationships, online safety, cyberbullying and responsible digital citizenship. These experiences aim not only to raise awareness, but also to equip students with strategies they can use when challenging situations occur.
At St Luke’s, addressing bullying is not limited to one week. Bullying – No Way Week provides an important opportunity to reinforce the values we promote throughout the year: treating others with dignity, including others, speaking up when something is wrong and seeking help when it is needed.
Parents and carers also play an important role in supporting young people to navigate online interactions and respond to cyberbullying. We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and to remind children that they should always seek the support of a trusted adult if something online makes them feel unsafe, uncomfortable or concerned.
To assist parents and carers, SchoolTV provides useful information, practical strategies and expert advice about cyberbullying:
SchoolTV – Cyberbullying:https://stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/cyber-bullying
By working together as students, staff and families, we can continue to build a College community where everyone feels safe, respected, included and supported.
Speak up. Be kind. Stand together. Bullying – No Way.
Beating Bullying with Daniel Merza
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, respectful and supportive school community, students recently had the opportunity to hear from Daniel Merza, who delivered his engaging and interactive Beating Bullying presentation.
Bullying continues to have a significant impact on young people, with research indicating that many Australian students will experience bullying during their school years. Daniel’s presentation encouraged students to think carefully about the role each person can play in reducing bullying and creating a culture where kindness, courage and respect are the norm.
A key feature of the presentation was Daniel’s concept of the “MONKEYS” that can contribute to bullying situations. Students explored how certain behaviours can feed unkindness, feelings of powerlessness or inaction, and how these patterns can be challenged.
Throughout the session, students were provided with practical strategies to:
- recognise and reduce unkind and bullying behaviours
- build resilience and confidence when faced with difficult situations
- seek support rather than dealing with bullying alone
- move from feeling powerless to feeling more confident and in control
- understand the important role of bystanders
- become “bravehearts” who safely speak up, support others and help stop bullying.
Daniel challenged students to recognise that bullying is not simply an issue between the person bullying and the person being targeted. Bystanders can have a powerful influence, and choosing to support someone, report concerning behaviour or seek the assistance of a trusted adult can make a significant difference.
The presentation reinforced many of the messages students have explored throughout our recent Bullying – No Way activities: that everyone has a responsibility for the culture of our College and that our words, actions and choices matter.
We thank Daniel Merza for sharing such an important and positive message with our students and for encouraging them to have the courage to stand up for themselves and others.
At St Luke’s Catholic College, we will continue working with our students to develop the confidence, resilience and skills needed to create a community where every person feels safe, valued and respected.
Year 8 Peer Companion Leaders Support Year 5 Students Through Bullying Education
As part of Bullying – No Way Week, our Year 8 Peer Companion Leaders took on an important leadership role by guiding Year 5 students through a series of activities focused on understanding, preventing and responding to bullying.
The sessions gave Year 5 students the opportunity to hear directly from older students about the types of bullying young people may encounter, how bullying can affect others, and the practical steps they can take if they experience or witness it.
A key strength of the program was the student-to-student perspective. Our Year 8 leaders were able to share ideas and strategies in a way that was relatable and accessible, encouraging Year 5 students to think carefully about how they can respond safely and positively.
Throughout the activities, students explored the importance of speaking up, supporting others, avoiding harmful bystander behaviour and seeking help from a trusted adult. The Year 8 leaders reinforced that asking for help is a positive and responsible action, and that students should never feel they have to manage bullying on their own.
The sessions also encouraged Year 5 students to identify the trusted adults in their own lives, both at school and at home, who they can approach if they are concerned about bullying, cyberbullying or the wellbeing of a friend.
This initiative not only strengthened the knowledge and confidence of our Year 5 students, but also provided our Year 8 Peer Companion Leaders with a valuable opportunity to demonstrate leadership, empathy, responsibility and positive role modelling.
By learning from one another and creating opportunities for older and younger students to connect, we continue to build a school culture where students feel safe, supported and confident to speak up.
Year 7 Students Take Part in OurFutures Vaping Prevention Program
Our Year 7 students are currently participating in the OurFutures Vaping Prevention Program, an evidence-based education program designed to help young people make informed and healthy decisions about vaping.
Developed by researchers from the University of Sydney’s Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, in partnership with educators and students, the program responds to growing concerns around vaping and tobacco use among adolescents.
Across four interactive lessons, students explore accurate information about vaping, its potential harms and the influences that can shape young people’s choices. The program uses a combination of engaging illustrated stories, class discussions, role plays, quizzes and activities to help students develop the knowledge and confidence needed to make safer decisions.
A strong focus is placed on harm minimisation, resisting peer and social pressures, understanding the consequences of vaping, and developing practical strategies to respond when confronted with vaping-related situations.
The OurFutures Vaping Prevention Program is currently being evaluated across schools in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia as part of one of Australia’s most rigorous studies into vaping prevention education.
By providing students with reliable information and opportunities to discuss real-life situations, we aim to empower our Year 7 students to think critically, make informed choices and look after their own health and wellbeing.
Programs such as OurFutures form an important part of our ongoing commitment to preventative wellbeing education and supporting students to develop the skills they need to navigate the challenges they may encounter throughout adolescence.
