Berserker Street State School celebrate Inaugural National Day of Action Against Bullying

Berserker Street State School was a sea of purple as students, teachers, parents and visitors came together to celebrate the inaugural National Day of Action Against Bullying.

The National Day of Action Against Bullying promotes the need to eliminate bullying and create a happy and caring environment in schools.  The day supported and complemented the school's Better Buddies program and Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students.

Students involved in the Better Buddies Framework participated in a range of problem solving activities that helped them identify bullies and their behaviour, how to respond to bullies and how to create positive relationships with fellow students.

Students also worked together to make Better Buddies posters that were displayed around the school as part of their 'Purple Day' celebrations.

Berserker Street State School Guidance Officer and Better Buddies coordinator, Debbie Webb, said the day was a chance for their students to celebrate friendship.

"Through the Better Buddies Framework and the support of NAB and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, we've been able to make an important stand against bullying to ensure our students feel safe and cared for at school.  'Purple Day' gave us another opportunity to educate our students about the importance of respecting and caring for each other."

The Better Buddies Framework was first implemented into Berserker Street State School in 2010 and has been extremely popular among the school's students.

"Our students love the Better Buddies Framework and it helps our younger buddies settle into school life at the beginning of the year and feel safe and cared for," said Debbie.

"Our Grade Six buddies have really embraced the responsibility of looking after their younger buddies. They feel really valued and respected and look out for their little buddies and love catching up with them in the class room or in the play-ground," added Debbie.

Through a range of initiatives and programs set up by the school's full-time guidance officer, values of the Better Buddies program are filtering through the school.

"It's great to see the values of the Better Buddies Framework having an impact on the greater school community," said Debbie.  "Better Buddies is a great initiative of NAB and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation and we're delighted to have it!"

Berserker Street State School is one of 800 Better Buddies schools across Australia. The Alannah and Madeline Foundation first introduced the Better Buddies Framework into 30 schools in 2007, and with the support of NAB have increased the number of participating schools to over 800 in 2011.