Lightning workshop to mark the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence

Minister for Education, Kate Jones, today joined Facebook Australia, anti-cyber bullying group Project ROCKIT and 40 high school students at the Lightning Workshop: How to Stand Up To Bullying.

The workshop is being presented as part of a range of statewide events on the 2015 National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (NDA).

Kate Jones said the NDA is a day of national importance and an opportunity for everyone to stand together and say bullying of any kind is not acceptable in our schools.

“The 14 and 15 year old students at today’s workshop come from a range of Brisbane secondary schools to learn real strategies to use and share with their peers to maintain a safe and supportive school environment,” Ms Jones said.

“They will be empowered to return to their schools and lead change for the better.

“These students will be ambassadors for online safety in their school community.

“Today is an important day in schools across Australia – it’s a day where more than 874,000 students from over 1,900 schools across the country, including more than 322,000 students from over 580 Queensland schools, are sending a clear message that bullying and violence will not be tolerated,” Ms Jones said.

Facebook’s Head of Policy Mia Garlick said the workshop would provide students with tangible solutions to stand up to bullying.

“It builds on our long-standing relationship with the State Government to promptly respond and remove bullying content and train Queensland teachers and students about Facebook’s tools, policies and resources that help create positive online experiences,” Ms Garlick said.

Project ROCKIT’s co-founder Lucy Thomas said the workshop targeted the people who could really make a difference – the students.

“We’re working with young people to create active bystanders who are equipped with the real-life skills to stand up to bullying in all its forms,” Ms Thomas said.

“We work with thousands of young people in our school workshops and we hear every day that young people have had enough of bullying and online hate.

“They’re keen to join a movement of fellow young people who don’t tolerate this toxic behaviour and are taking action by standing up and speaking out.”

The Queensland Government manages the NDA on behalf of all states and territories, and all education jurisdictions across Australia. The day is an initiative of all Australian education ministers and is managed by the Safe and Supportive School Communities (SSSC) Working Group.

Media contact: Emma Smith (Minister Jones’ Office) 0417 405 879