YOUNGSTERS at Berwick Fields Primary School joined forces with a buddy to raise awareness about an anti-bullying foundation.
On 7 June, the school celebrated National Buddy Day, an initiative developed by NAB and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to help reduce bullying in primary schools.
The Better Buddies Framework is aimed at empowering primary school students by paring older children with younger children and teaching them the values of caring for others, friendliness, respect, valuing difference, including others and responsibility.
The students at Berwick Fields Primary School dressed in purple and used ribbon, Velcro brand or scrunchies to band together and show their support for the cause.
NAB employees were also encouraged to band together with a colleague in support of National Buddy Day.
NAB’s Kevin Ramsdale said NAB was committed to working with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to ensure children felt happy and safe in their schools.
Money raised from the event goes towards introducing The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s Better Buddies Framework into more primary schools across the country.
Since 2007, NAB has worked with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation to address the issue of bullying through the Better Buddies Framework.
The number of participating schools has increased from 30 in 2007 to more than 1150 in 2013.
Dr Judith Slocombe, CEO of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation said the foundation’s partnership with NAB was well on the way towards implementing the Better Buddies Framework in every primary school across Australia.
“Bullying is a major societal issue in Australia.
“Twenty-seven per cent of young people report they are bullied every two weeks or more often.
“In Australia, the number of school children bullied every fortnight could fill the MCG,” Dr Slocombe said.
“We thank NAB for their continued support – Banding Together on National Buddy Day is a fantastic concept where NAB staff can work together to help reduce bullying.”
To learn more about National Buddy Day, visit www.buddyday.org.au.
