RESPECT and empathy characterised White Ribbon Day at Bligh Park Public School on Friday.
Bligh Park Public’s relieving assistant principal and White Ribbon organiser, Katrina Lee, said the school decided a broad message of non-violence was the most appropriate for young children.
‘‘We know White Ribbon is primarily about domestic violence, but we didn’t want our focus to be on that,’’ Miss Lee said.
‘‘Instead, everything has been focused on respect; we think that’s important for pupils.’’
She said respect was reinforced by other messages.
‘‘It’s about kindness, consideration, tolerance, trust, honesty and communication,’’ Miss Lee said.
‘‘We had guest speakers from cricket and football, the police, Ambulance NSW, the RAAF, the fire brigade and the YMCA.
‘‘They all talked about respect and how everyone deserved it.’’
Senior students from Richmond High School, as part of that school’s White Ribbon events, also talked with years 5 and 6 pupils about respect.
‘‘I think it’s important that young children are seeing older students talk about what they look for in a positive relationship,’’ Miss Lee said.
‘‘They said it was about treating others the way they want to be treated.’’
She said respect also included rejection of bullying, so all pupils would regard the school as a safe place.
School captain and year 6 pupil Jasmine Brown said it was easy to describe what a respectful school was.
‘‘It’s a responsible, safe and friendly school,’’ Jasmine said.
Year 3 pupil Jordan Murphy said he also knew what a respectful school was.
‘‘It’s tidy and neat, they share with each other and they get along,’’ Jordan said.
School vice captain Colby Hedges, also in year 6, said respect itself was easier to define.
‘‘It’s treating others the way you want to be treated,’’ Colby said.
Stephanie Cobcroft of year 4 said: ‘‘Respect is when you consider other people’s ideas and don’t tell them that they’re wrong.’’
Bligh Park Public School was one of many in the area to focus on the White Ribbon message last week.
