Students from Kurri, Cessnock and Mount View high schools speak out against domestic violence

Students from Kurri Kurri, Mount View and Cessnock High Schools participated in a range of activities on Friday to commemorate White Ribbon Day 2018.

Mount View High School hosted a raft of activities throughout the week, including a white sock day, fundraising, and a special White Ribbon day assembly on Friday.

The school also held a Polished Man event that saw staff and students paint a fingernail to show their support for the cause.

The assembly featured a performance by the school’s Year 10 drama class, who staged Breaking the Silence ​ a thought-provoking performance that was premiered at the Cessnock Chamber of Commerce’s White Ribbon Breakfast the previous week.

Vice Captain Callen Sweetman said that while the school had held a White Ribbon assembly each year, they wanted to do something special for 2018.

“We took a fair look at the statistics and we noticed that, especially in the Hunter area and Cessnock, there is significant need to stand up and speak out against domestic violence,” he said.

Principal Desley Pfeffer added that she was heartened  by the level of enthusiasm the students had shown toward the school’s week-long White Ribbon activities

“We decided to do something each day to lead up to White Ribbon,” she said.

“And we have had feedback from students saying that they feel safer here with the fact that domestic violence is being talked about so openly.”

Cessnock High School, meanwhile hosted a morning walk from partner primary school Kearsley Public back to the high school grounds, while Kurri Kurri High school unveiled a White Ribbon mural,  as part of it’s Real Man project involving male students from Years 7 and 8.

The mural, which boys advisor Sam Rumball said serves as a year-round reminder of the need to speak out against domestic violence, features the iconic ribbon and the pledge: ‘I will stand up, speak out, and act to prevent men’s violence against women.”

Cessnock High School Principal Christopher Bice said that .domestic violence was a subject close to many students’ hearts in the region and was pleased with how the student population had gotten behind the White Ribbon initiative.

“Ive had in the past some of our senior students working with junior students just mentoring them about appropriate relationships,” he said.

“I’ve also had some of our secondary students going to primary schools and working with the younger students as well.”