- Over 1600 Queensland schools join nation to send anti-bullying message, including all Queensland state schools
- Education Minister joins Lawnton State School community to mark the day
- Palaszczuk Government takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying
Schools across Queensland and Australia have again united to mark the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.
The 13th National Day of Action saw 1677 schools in Queensland - including all state schools - and 6418 across Australia signal their determination to create school communities that are welcoming and inclusive for all.
Education Minister Grace Grace joined students and staff at Lawnton State School to mark the day, as they participated in activities centred on the event's 2023 theme 'Growing Connections'.
This year's theme is focussed on how connections help develop a greater understanding of one another.
Participation in the National Day of Action of Bullying and Violence is just one way Queensland state schools are supported to create safe and supportive school environments.
The Palaszczuk Government's nation leading $106 million Student Wellbeing Package is putting GPs, psychologists, and other wellbeing professionals in schools right across the state.
Our Respectful Relationships program is backed by $15m for specialist advisors and investment in professional development, and a University of Queensland independent evaluation has commended the department's strong commitment and measures to reduce cyberbullying.
The Palaszczuk Government has implemented all 29 recommendations of the nation-leading Anti Cyber Bullying Taskforce, and the Education Department's dedicated cybersafety team, which assists schools responding to and preventing online issues, has been singled out for praise by a Royal Commission for both its preventative and reactive achievements.
All schools are required to have a Student Code of Conduct that explicitly details how the school will work to prevent and respond to bullying and cyberbullying.
Quotes attributable to Education Minister Grace Grace:
"The National Day of Action 2023 theme 'Growing Connections' is a great one.
"The more we grow connections, the more empathy for others we develop and this creates better opportunities to understand one another.
"Bullying is a scourge, and we take a zero-tolerance approach.
"It's something we take incredibly seriously and we will continue to provide extensive resources and support to schools to tackle it.
"It's not something schools can eradicate alone, which is why working closely with parents, families, and the broader school community is so important.
"We want to ensure students that experience bullying know that they're not alone and that they can reach out for help, and that we will be there to support them."
Quotes attributable to Lawnton State School Principal Nicholas Shirley:
"Lawnton State School is delighted to welcome Minister Grace Grace back to our wonderful school to launch the 2023 National Day of Action campaign.
"We are incredibly proud of the learning environment that is fostered at our school, which teaches our students leadership qualities and empowers them to grow connections with confidence.
"Lawnton State School proudly supports each student individually, in partnership with family and local community connections, to provide an educational program that acknowledges the unique qualities in all learners to enable them to achieve their full potential."
