An alarming amount of bullying still takes place in schools around Maitland, a karate expert said yesterday.
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Peter Kirkwood, of Kirkwood’s Institute of Karate, said parents were constantly bringing their children to classes in the hope they could learn how to deal with bullies.
“We want our kids to know they don’t have to give up their pocket money or lunch treats to bullies,” Mr Kirkwood said.
“Most bullies are not fighters - they are mostly thugs who rely on threats to get what they want.
“And I believe it is important that our youngsters learn this early.
“Unfortunately, we get kids here all the time who are victims of bullying.
“So many parents bring their kids to us because of this.
“It can be a terrible ordeal for them.”
Mr Kirkwood said it was a concern that with all the publicity and campaigns about bullying, it still existed in many schools.
“I don’t think we will ever kill the bullying problem, but we can give it a good nudge and help to stamp it out,” he said.
“I believe our club should play its part in helping to deal with this and I think we are the only club in the Hunter Valley involved in this approach.
“The basis of what we teach will still be karate, but with a more modern approach.
“We will make it a lot of fun for kids to learn fighting techniques.”
