“I’ve been bullied really badly at school and it makes you feel really, really emotional because you feel like you can’t do anything about it,” Sophie, 12, said.

“It is extremely important for people to get together and say no to bullies . . . it can save lives.”

The Maitland Public School student and fellow classmate Jezz Williams, also 12, were named VOCAL Justice Warriors yesterday after winning a school-based program designed to kerb school yard bullying.

The program, initiated by Victims of Crime Assistance League (VOCAL), was piloted at the school at the beginning of the year and is based on the ABC of bullying – attitude, behaviour and character.

Sophie and Jezz won a competition calling for students to design anti-bullying posters.

“The results of the pilot program were absolutely fantastic and really showed the impact bullying can have on kids,” program co-ordinator Hayley Gillard said. “Children are really aware of bullying and they are passionate about stopping it. This project has shown there is a real depth of understanding there.”

VOCAL Justice Warriors will be rolled out to other Hunter schools next year.