Following on from requests from clients and an ever increasing need to address this growing issue, VOCAL began work on a community education project focussed on bullying late last year.

Built around a central theme of ABC (‘attitude’, ‘behaviour’ and ‘character’) the program aims to encourage young people to consider these three things when interacting with peers, teachers, family and the community.

Click on image to enlarge.

The program premiered at Maitland Public School on the 11th of March, 2011.

The presentation was recieved by over 80 students, teachers and parents. Through education,roleplay and active participation we encouraged both students and teachers alike to recognise the many different types of bullying that exist and how everyone in the community has the responsibility to put a stop to bullying behaviour.

VOCAL created ‘pledges’ and encouraged students to sign on and agree to the three rules of the Justice Warrior movement:

1. Always have a good ATTITUDE

2. Be on your best BEHAVIOUR and be aware of other students BEHAVIOUR

3. Care for your CHARACTER, recognise that we are all different and respect those differences.

It’s as EASY as A, B,C!

We also asked for the Maitland Public school students to submit designs for a flag  detailing the common themes of the VOCAL Justice Warrior program and how bullying affects them and their friends.
We had many fantastic entries and the final design is currently in production and once it is completed it will be displayed at the school.

Many thanks to Maitland Public School and the students who participated!

Click here to read the Maitland Mercury’s coverage of VOCAL’s Justice Warrior Program and to see the flag designed by the students.

If you would like to learn more about the Justice Warrior Program or would like VOCAL to visit your school please contact us on 02 4961 4755 or email ceo@vocal.org.au

Click here to read a personal reflection on bullying and how positive steps made by peers, teachers and the wider community can help us move toward a future without bullying.