The importance of managing anger and avoiding violence was front and centre when 110 students from Pakenham’s Lakeside College learnt about the story of Pat Cronin – a Melbourne teenager who lost his life to a Coward Punch.
They are now among 1300 students from six schools across the Cardinia region who have taken part in the Pat Cronin Foundation’s compelling “Violence is Never OK” presentation this year.
Designed to help teenagers defuse potentially violent situations, the heartbreaking story of Pat Cronin – struck from behind while attempting to help a friend during a night out in Melbourne in 2016 – is at the heart of the session.
After being struck, Pat stayed on his feet, checking all his mates were ok. Soon after however he suffered a major brain bleed and lost consciousness. Two days later his parents had to make the agonising decision to turn off his life support.
Michelle Roberts , Lakeside College’s Wellbeing / Homeroom Coordinator for Years 10-12, said the Foundation’s presentations often had a profound impact on students because they were “very, very real and relatable”.
“These messages are so important for students of this age. The Foundation’s presentations help prepare them for the next phase of their lives as they start to go out and socialise,” she said.
“In fact, a presentation from the Foundation is the one of the last pastoral care lessons they have before they embark on Schoolies Week.”
Foundation director Matt Cronin, the father of Pat, said: “We set up the Foundation because we didn’t want other families to suffer the pain we’ve been through.
“Since then, we’ve been overwhelmed by the demand for this specialised education, which has led to our expansion throughout the country.”
In October alone, more than 6300 Australian primary and secondary students will attend one of the Foundation’s three core presentations.
The Foundation’s cornerstone presentation, “Violence is Never OK” shares Pat’s story and uses real-life scenarios to help students understand the impact of a single, violent act while equipping them with skills to manage anger before it escalates into aggression.
Building on this, the “Rethinking Anger” delves deeper into the triggers of conflict, offering strategies to avoid violence altogether.
Recognising the importance of early intervention, the Foundation has also introduced the “Act Kindly Activity Kit,” for children as young as five. This resource includes an age-appropriate presentation, storybooks, teacher-led activities, and role-playing exercises to instil positive behaviours from an early age.
