Nowra Christian School staff and students took a literal stance against violence and bullying recently.
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The school gathered for a special assembly, before gathering for an aerial photograph to highlight their support for the National Day of Action against Violence and Bullying, held on Friday, March 15.
Principal Rob Bray said the school has been focusing on the 'Bullying. No Way!' initiative and will continue throughout the term.
School leaders have presented on bullying in both primary and secondary assemblies, and students will be signing the 'Bullying.No Way!' pledges in their classes over the coming weeks.
Mr Bray said it was the first time the school had participated in the national event, but felt it was an important initiative, particularly in light of recent events.
"We live in a word that's becoming increasingly desensitised to violence," he said.
"You only have to look at the shocking tragedy in New Zealand and the way it's thrown across television and social media.
"We don't want our students to become desensitised to it. In the pledge they used the words "be an upstander, rather than a bystander" and to be a "do something person, not a do nothing person". We, as a school liked that, and we want to abide by that."
Mr Bray said the school aims to empower its students to say no to bullying, to seek help, and to stand up and make a difference.
He also thanked the teachers, groundsmen and students who gathered to help create their impressive aerial photo.
"We had to have permission from the Navy to use the air space for the drone so it all had to be done by a certain time, so with army-like precision all the classes filled out and took their spots. We had so many people that we had to add two exclamation marks," he said.
The school's primary students are now working on a mural that features their hand outline and their pledge against violence and bullying. It will showcase around 250 hands and will be prominently displayed in the school grounds.
Find more on the event at bullyingnoway.gov.au