More than 600,000 students from nearly 1500 schools across Australia are standing together today to show they are committed to having schools free from bullying, harassment and violence.

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett said the third 2013 National Day of Action is being marked by the launch of a new website dedicated to safe school resources, a new iPad app for younger children, new curriculum material on bullying and the announcement of 15 winners in the Safe Schools are Smart Schools competition.

“This third National Day of Action is seeing positive anti-bullying messages spread through schools and our communities,” he said.

“These new resources will help start conversations between parents and their children and between teachers and their students. By standing together to say no to bullying and violence we can build positive school communities.”

The new website – the Safe Schools Hub - draws together information for parents, teachers and schools on the National Safe Schools Framework, anti-bullying initiatives and resources.

The Hub also contains a ‘Toolkit’ which explains key elements of the National Safe Schools Framework to help school communities understand what they need to do to ensure they have a safe and supportive leaning environment.

The National Safe Schools Framework is the first of its kind in the world and offers guiding principles that help school communities develop positive and practical student safety and wellbeing policies.

“The Safe Schools Hub gives all schools and communities powerful tools to help them build a positive school culture that is a safe and supportive place for all,” Mr Garrett said.

“There is no place for bullying or violence in, or outside, our schools, and the Gillard Government is taking practical steps to help protect students from bullying.”

The Stand Together 2013 curriculum will assist teachers to focus on teaching students to help stop bullying when they see it.

The “Bullying, No Way!” website has been updated to include material specifically designed for younger children plus a new free iPad app will be available for parents to download and talk to young children about bullying issues. 

The Allen Adventure app is designed to help children aged three to eight to learn to be more considerate of other students and look after others through a fun and educational interactive program about a young alien who visits a school on Earth and learns how to get along with others.

The Allen Adventure app is also available to parents and educators through the Apple App store.

Resources and information concerning the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence are available at: www.bullyingnoway.gov.au

The Safe Schools Hub can be accessed at www.safeschoolshub.edu.au.