The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, Friday 19th March is a day for schools, students and the community to say Bullying-  No Way!

Students at St Joseph's took part in a number of activities throughout the day, including a sausage sizzle for lunch break.

One of the activities undertaken was with the simple materials of a paper doll, tape and a story, students considered the complex and lasting effects that bullying can have.

Groups decorated and personalized their paper doll ‘Susie’ and then listened to a story of a day in the life of schoolgirl Susie and the interactions she had with others. Whenever they heard evidence or actions of bullying, students altered their paper doll in some way – ripping, tearing, crumpling – showing the damage of each interaction. When they heard positive things happen to Susie with others, they used tape to repair the damage.

Students reflected on the physical damage and change that happened to their figures and the fact that she was not the same person, not in the same state she was in at the start of the day. Some of the kindness helped to patch her up, but it did not heal her or fix what had been done.

Using this activity, students had to think about how they may not see the physical harm their words or actions had on others, but those who are bullied are hurt, damaged and broken by bullying behaviours and can carry those scars with them even after bullying may stop.