By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
BULLIES have no place at Pakenham Springs Primary school – just ask 10-year-old Mikayla Wade.
The Grade 4 student has taken it upon herself to start ANTZ – a peer support program providing assistance to children who may feel isolated or bullied.
Each lunchtime, Mikayla and friends Nic and Jesse wear rainbow tie-dyed T-shirts identifying themselves as available to talk or play with anyone feeling lonely.
Mikayla’s mum Simone, who works at the school, said Mikayla had come up with the idea entirely on her own.
“She came home one day and started making this poster, and I got a little concerned that she was having problems at school,” Simone said.
“But that really wasn’t the case – she wasn’t being bullied at all. She wanted to do this to help.”
She said the school had been extremely supportive of Mikayla’s idea.
“They have designed badges, made posters and have presented at the school assembly over five times to spread the message that they are here to help and that everyone is special and needs to be treated nicely.”
The trio arrive early at school and offer their support every day. They now have around 10 helpers who also volunteer their time.
ANTZ was chosen as an appropriate name both because the group is anti-bullying and to represent the teamwork shown by ants.
Simone said that while she did not believe bullying was a major problem at Pakenham Springs, it was important that students knew there was support there if they felt they needed it.
“Kids can feel left out, and sometimes it’s not that the other kids are doing it on purpose,” she said.
“It’s nice for them to know that there’s somewhere to go.”
