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10 OCtober 2005 News Release
SCHOOL BULLYING TO BE FOCUS OF NATIONAL CONFERENCE - pdf version

A Federal Government programme that will be implemented by 1 January 2006 to help schools stamp out bullying in all Australian schools will be one of the key platforms of the 2nd national conference of the National Coalition Against Bullying to be held in Melbourne on October 29 and 30.

Under the National Safe Schools Framework, a collaborative effort by all State and Territory governments, all Australian schools must implement anti-bullying programs by 1 January 2006.

The Federal Minister for Education, Science and Training, Dr Brendan Nelson said today: “All young Australians should, no matter what their circumstances may be, learn in a school environment that is free from bullying, harassment and abuse.
“Research shows that one child in six is bullied by peers each week in Australian schools. Up to 50 per cent of children have been bullied in the past year. Victims of bullying are two to three times more likely to contemplate suicide than their peers and school bullies are four times more likely to engage in serious criminal activity as adults.
“This disturbing research was the catalyst for the development of the National Safe Schools Framework.”
The Framework, which is also supported by the State and Territory governments, includes teacher professional development resources, a $1 million grants programme to help schools select and implement effective, evidence-based, best practice programmes to address bullying, violence and abuse; and $300,000 for materials and other support to guide schools in the implementation.

The conference, entitled Creating Safe and Caring School Communities, is being convened by the National Coalition Against Bullying and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation at the Carlton Crest Hotel and Conference Centre with the support of the Federal Government and VicHealth.

Minister Nelson will jointly open the conference with the Victorian Education Services Minister, Jacinta Allan on October 29.

NCAB Chairman, Alastair Nicholson said: “The theme of the NCAB Conference and the topics covered will help everyone to focus on the issue of making schools a place where all children are safe.

2005 National Coalition Against Bullying Conference
Saturday October 29 – Sunday October 30
www.amf.org.au or www.ncab.org.au

“The introduction of the National Safe School Framework is very welcome and will do much to help address the blight of bullying in our schools.

“It is especially gratifying to know that the Federal, State and Territory Governments are working together to help our most vulnerable citizens to get a good and safe start in life.”

The Chairman of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, John Bertrand today described bullying in schools as a “national tragedy”.

“Bullying affects not only the student, but his or her family. It is has an insidious effect on the whole community,” he said. “The National Safe Schools Framework is a great step forward in overcoming the problem. Bullying is something all schools must address and implement programs which create safe school communities,” he added.

Other keynote speakers at the Conference will include: the Head of the Unit for School and Family Studies at the University of London, Professor Peter Smith and the Director of La Marsh Centre for Research on Violence and Conflict Resolution in Canada, Professor Debra Pepler who will present papers on anti-bullying programs and bullying intervention.

The President of the Children’s Court in Victoria, Judge Jennifer Coate and specialists working in the fields of education and preventative behaviour will also speak at the conference, which will be attended by several hundred teachers and educationalists from across Australia.

For media interviews, contact The Alannah and Madeline Foundation on (03) 9697 0666.