Assistant Principal - Wellbeing & Welfare

Backflips Against Bullying

We were excited to host an action packed, engaging visit from a nationwide anti- bullying programme called ‘Backflips Against Bullying’ (Action Education) this week. There were two sessions for the students to enjoy, one for Foundation to Year 2 and the other Year 3 to 6. The high energised acrobatic and singing Primary school programme is nationally renowned and supports the values of Park Ridge Primary School. 

We had this program last year, and this year, the company continued the journey against bullying with our students. 

Want to Know More?

Evelyn M. Field, OAM is a practising counselling psychologist in Melbourne and a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society. She was awarded her OAM for her initiatives for school and workplace bullying.

The Backflips Against Bullying program is evidence-based, and supported by Evelyn M Field OEM, respected psychologist and author of the Australian schools handbook to anti-bullying ‘Bully Blocking’. In addition to this, Backflips Against Bullying is a registered Trusted E-Safety Provider with the Australian Government.

Why Backflips?

BECAUSE ENGAGED STUDENTS LEARN

Parkour and flips are one of the fastest growing trends amongst students. Education is based on content and engagement, but we know that great content alone is not enough to educate students who do not want to learn. Additionally, those who need to hear this message the most are often the hardest to engage with. In steps Backflips Against Bullying! 

This program was created as a step [and a few flips] above workbooks and activities to engage and energize students. By addressing bullying on a social level, we can empower students to hold each other accountable. Let’s take action together and build a harassment-free school environment that saves lives. 

When students are engaged, they learn. So this incursion engages them with Backflips, and they learn about Bullying. 

EMPOWERING THE BYSTANDER

Primary Schools having the power to stand up for one another is a core theme displayed in the program. By addressing bullying on a social level, we’ll give students the necessary tools and empower them to hold each other accountable. 

EXIT STRATEGIES

After a big acrobatic demonstration of bullying, we ask the students what could be done differently, and rewind and replay scenarios with their ideas to show what strategies can work to help the situation.

RETALIATION

In a comedy filled segment, we demonstrate how retaliating gives the bully exactly what they want; and you will get into trouble as well.

RESILIENCE

Be calm and be kind; if you do these two things you can shut down verbal harassment straight away. We bring up a volunteer to help us show the students just how effective this really is.