From the Assistant Principal

National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence – 20 March 2026

What is this day all about?

The National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence is an opportunity for schools, families, and communities across Australia to unite and take a stand against bullying. It reminds us that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and included. The day encourages young people to build positive relationships, show kindness, and consider how their words and actions affect others.

Why does this day matter?

It raises awareness: Bullying can have a serious and lasting impact on a young person’s wellbeing. This day helps students learn how to recognise bullying, how to prevent it, and what to do if they see it happening.

It empowers students: When students feel confident to speak up and support one another, they help create a school culture where everyone feels welcome and valued.

It strengthens community: When families and schools work together, it sends a clear message: bullying is never okay, and everyone has a role in creating safe, supportive environments.

How families can support respectful behaviour at home

Families play a vital role in helping children grow into empathetic, respectful people. Some simple ways to support this include:

• Encouraging open conversations about feelings, friendships, and challenges
• Modelling respectful communication in everyday interactions
• Helping children understand different perspectives
• Reinforcing the importance of kindness and inclusion

These everyday habits create a strong foundation for all children. When young people feel heard, valued, and supported, they’re better equipped to build healthy relationships and navigate challenges with confidence.

From this foundation, families can also support the unique needs of both boys and girls as they grow.

For boys, it’s especially important to help them understand that all emotions are valid. Encouraging boys to express a full range of feelings, not just anger, but also sadness, worry, and empathy, builds emotional awareness and strengthens their relationships. When boys feel safe to talk about how they feel, they’re more likely to respond to others with compassion and respect.

For girls, fostering resilience is equally important. Girls benefit from being encouraged to speak up, take risks, and trust their own abilities. Supporting them to build confidence, navigate friendships, and handle setbacks helps strengthen their emotional wellbeing. When girls learn that mistakes are part of learning and that their voices matter, they develop the resilience they need to face challenges with courage.

Children also learn a great deal from what they see. Demonstrating kindness, listening carefully, and speaking respectfully about others sends a powerful message about what respectful behaviour looks like. Setting clear expectations around boundaries and consent,  including the idea that “no means no”,  helps all children understand the importance of respecting others’ choices.

Providing opportunities for children to practise empathy, such as helping others or considering how someone else might feel, further supports their understanding of respectful relationships. When schools and families work together, we give all children, boys and girls alike, the guidance they need to grow into thoughtful, caring members of the community.