By JESSE GRAHAM
HEALESVILLE High School students banded together to mark the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, creating a whole-school event to promote acceptance of others.
On Friday 8 March, students at the school celebrated Acceptance Day, their re-branding of the national anti-bullying day.
Healesville High’s Administration and Events co-ordinator Lisa Mathieson said Student Voice, along with director of Student Wellbeing Lyn Scotchmoor and school nurse Debbie Dennison, organised the day, including an out-of-uniform fund-raiser and an assembly.
“Rather than calling it ‘anti-bullying’, they wanted to put a more positive spin on it,” Ms Mathieson said.
“Some expressed themselves more than others (in free dress), but, that’s anybody’s sort-of take on it some people went really outrageous with their outfits, some chose to dress as they normally would.”
Over the day, more than $300 was raised for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which aims to protect children from violence.
At the assembly, students Chenile Chandler, Sam Elliot, Annaleigh MacDonald and Waularna Hume, along with pastor Neil Milton, spoke about their experiences with bullying.
“They discussed accepting people’s differences, whether it’s gender, race, or sexuality,” Ms Mathieson said.
“Waularna is Indigenous, and she talked about racial discrimination and people don’t realise how hurtful it is – it was hard-hitting and very well-done.”
She said a video was also shown at the assembly about people who were bullied at a young age, but went on to be successful, such as Lady Gaga, Barak Obama and Ed Sheeran.
Ms Mathieson said the group were hoping to keep marking Acceptance Day on the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence, with more events during the year to drive home the message of acceptance.
“They’re hoping to make a change in the school community about people’s perception of bullying,” she said.
