Laidley High school captains create important video to tackle growing school bullying issue
Rather than a punishment approach, a group of high school students have come up with an alternative way to address the school’s bullying issue. Watch their inspirational video here:
Gatton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gatton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Laidley school leaders have delivered a powerful message to not just their fellow students, but the wider community that bullying isn’t welcome.
A video put together by the Laidley State High School Year 12 captains encourages bullying victims and those who witness it to speak up and reach out for help.
Rather than tackling the issue with punishments and restrictions, the leadership team aimed for a positive approach to the growing issue.
Vice-captain Shayana Shepley said removing bullying from the Laidley schoolyard wouldn’t happen in a year, but the leaders felt it was their responsibility to begin the change.
She said the leaders noticed the issue and worked with their year level co-ordinator on the project.
“We are trying to start something and keep it ongoing so we can start changing our culture and make the school a better place for everyone,” Shayana said.
“By doing this video and getting it out there to the community we can really help Laidley’s reputation and try to change the culture.
“I see Laidley as a great place and the community as well.”
The message is “Speak Up, Stand Up, Say Something”.
Since the video was released to the school and wider community, the students have held lessons with their younger peers to continue spreading the message.
Shayana told the Gatton Star how senior students had witnessed violence in the yard, and rather than introducing further punishment, they wanted a positive approach.
“We want to build each other up,” she said.
“The violence and what we are seeing in the playground is stemming from bullying. We thought we would address that first and make it positive rather than negative.”
Sports captain Meagan Portch said students in the younger grades were often a target of bullying.
“We are also doing a mentoring program with the year sevens. As Year 12s, we help them and let them know if something is happening or wrong, they are more than welcome to come and speak to us,” Meagan said.
The leaders hope next year’s school captains will continue to deliver the anti-bullying message.
Acting principal Tony McCormack said it was no secret bullying was in many schools, and Laidley was no different.
But he said the students’ anti-bullying message had a greater impact coming from the captains, rather than teachers telling students what to do.
“For students to be able to take that initiative themselves and have that voice is so much more powerful because it’s your peers delivering the message,” he said.
“It’s not our biggest behavioural problem, but it is a challenge we face like every other school.”
Mr McCormack said the response to the video had been “really positive”, with students, staff and the community recognising the work of the school’s leaders.
Murder charge dropped: Teen involved in Robert Brown killing released
A young man accused of murdering elderly Toowoomba man Robert Brown has been released from jail after the charge was dropped.
Readers share incredible personal Anzac Day stories
We all will observe the minute’s silence on Friday in our own special way, so have asked our key columnists, senior writers, editors, and now readers, to share where their minds go during that sacred sixty seconds.