Taking a stand against bullying
KNYSNA - Two more Knysna schools recently added their events to the evergrowing roster of schools that are taking a stand against bullying, with the Knysna Rotary Club by their side.
The initiative, led by Knysna Rotary, aimed to implement preventive measures against bullying in schools throughout the Knysna area, fostering a collective and inclusive approach. By highlighting the diverse strategies employed by each school, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of bullying and promote a supportive environment for learners.
Students, staff and the wider community were urged to unite against bullying and promote empathy, kindness, and respect.
Fraaisig Primary School
Fraaisig hosted theirs as a week-long anti-bullying campaign that ran from 11 to 14 September. One of the highlights of the campaign was the series of talks by local law enforcement officers, mental health professionals and experts in child psychology, who shared their insights on the psychological and emotional impact of bullying.
These talks were facilitated by Manfred Soldaat, representatives of the NGOs Kilt and Sinethemba, police representatives, Kevin Marais and Edwin Pedro, and Cameron Jantjies. The students and educators were given valuable information and guidance to help them understand the importance of recognising and addressing bullying behaviours.
The talks also emphasised the significance of bystander intervention.
Students were encouraged to step up and support victims of bullying, thus creating a sense of collective responsibility and fostering a culture of empathy and compassion in the school community.
Learners were encouraged to actively participate in the anti-bullying campaign through expressing their thoughts and creativity on visually captivating posters.
These were displayed throughout the school premises, serving as a constant
reminder of the commitment to a bully-free environment.
The poster-making sessions not only allowed students to showcase their artistic skills but also facilitated meaningful discussions about the impact of bullying.
Percy Mdala High School
On Monday 18 September, Percy Mdala High presented a Rotary Knysna and Percy Mdala Anti-bullying Awareness Campaign Day. It proved to be a significant step forward in combatting bullying and empowering students and administrators alike.
Percy Mdala took a unique approach to the anti-bullying initiative by organising an interactive experience that engaged the
entire school community. Through various creative mediums such as poems, songs and dance performances, students conveyed the message of anti-bullying. This was also a platform for students to share their experiences, emotions and insights.
The initiative also incorporated a faithbased approach. By drawing upon spiritual teachings and values, the campaign aimed to instil a sense of compassion, kindness and respect within the school community.
One of the primary goals of the campaign was to raise awareness about the severe consequences of bullying. The initiative shed light on the alarming rates of suicide and school dropouts associated with bullying incidents found in surveyed statistics provided by the schools in the area.