The first stage in a series of free anti-bullying classes and workshops has been launched with every primary and secondary school in Maitland being emailed details of the program.
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Kirkwoods Institute of Karate will hold the classes from October 7 to October 24 at its premises at 315 New England Highway, Rutherford.
There will also be two free three-hour seminars where all aspects of bullying will be explored.
The first seminar, for primary school children, will be held on Saturday, October 11, from 1pm to 4pm.
The seminar for high school children will take place on Saturday, October 25, also from 1pm to 4pm.
The project is close to the heart of Peter Kirkwood, who for many years has championed the victims of bullying and those who fear bullies.
“I really hope the schools will get behind us in these classes, where children as well as adults will be welcome,” Mr Kirkwood said.
“This program is not primarily about teaching self-defence as much as building confidence in young people.
“We aim to teach practical strategies for identifying and dealing with bullies.
“I doubt if we can ever stamp out bullying completely, but we can go a long way in reducing these incidents, which are still happening in many of our schools.
“I believe if we can save one child from being bullied, it will have been worth it.
“Most bullies who get away with it do so because their victims let this happen.”
Kirkwood’s Institute of Karate is a member of HYPER Defence, an international organisation devoted to ending bullying.
“We are teaming up with HYPER to reach more than one million children around the world during October,” Mr Kirkwood said. “Unfortunately, bullying is still alive and well in Maitland.
“We have parents on the phone talking to us about it all the time and one reason people come here is because of bullying.”