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Welcome to the "It's Not Cool To Be Cruel!!" Cool News Page! Check here for the latest news on the program, including new schools, developments, and special guest info!! Chris Heighington Visits Our Newest School - Dalmeny Public School - 29/10/09 Wests Tigers' Second Row, Chris Heighington, joined Enough is Enough presenter Judith Johnson on 28th October 2009 in welcoming the program's newest school to say "It's Not Cool To Be Cruel!!", Dalmeny Public School. Our largest number of students yet, approximately 300 year 3, 4, 5 and 6 students participated in the various activities that the program offers. Dalmeny Public's Deputy Principal, Anthony Mazzitelli, was high praising of the day and how it had a great impact upon the students. "At the end of the day it was really good because A) what the whole program is trying to target is relevant to the kids, but B) doing it through the Wests Tigers' as a rolemodel works really well. It was good to have Chris there talking to the kids. There was a good variety of activities, and it keeps the kids interested and gets their attention," said Mazzitelli. As well as reaching out to our biggest group yet, this day saw the introduction of 2 new exciting additions to the program. First of these being a new interactive questionairre presentation developed by myself, Nathan Cassar, in which questions are asked to the students relating to topics addressed on the DVD, and parts of the DVD are played back and feedback given. Overall, it allows for added enjoyment and reinforcement of the various topics discussed on the DVD. The second addition is equally exciting. Since last year in July, new designs featuring the new partners of the program have been long awaited, and Dalmeny Public students were the first to receive the cool new items. These items, which every student recieves at a prerole model, includes a pencil, ruler, bookmark, sticker and leaflet, all featuring the It's Not Cool To Be Cruel!! logo and website. "The other thing that is good is that it is up in their face for weeks to come through the use of their new pencils, rulers etc. Overall, it was quite good and very successful." To find out more about Dalmeny Public School, follow the link on the Cool Schools List. Launch of a New School - St. Christophers Primary - 30/08/09 On 24th August 2009, a new school was been welcomed under the "It's Not Cool To Be Cruel!!" banner: St. Christophers Primary School at Holsworthy. St. Christophers' principal, Margaret Hogan, spoke to us after the day and gave her praise for the success of the presentation at Holsworthy. "The children really enjoyed it and the teachers said it was very valuable. Well done on developing such an important and successful program," said Hogan. To find out more about St. Christophers Primary School, follow the link on the Cool Schools List. Katrina Risteska Joins the Wests Tigers in Saying "It's Not Cool To Be Cruel!!" - 12/08/09 By Nathan Cassar
The ‘It's Not
Cool To Be Cruel’ Anti-Bullying Program has welcomed a new school in
Elderslie High School, and a brand new advocate, a highly
inspiring and exciting one at that. On Wednesday,
August 12, Year 8 students were treated to a special, once-off high school
adaptation of program where Wests Tigers players Dean Collis and Blake
Lazurus were joined by special guest, Katrina Risteska, to give vital,
inspirational speeches to the students. The program,
presented by the ‘It's Not Cool To Be Cruel’ developer Nathan Cassar,
began the morning's sessions by speaking to his peers about his
own personal experience with bullying, and how his life has progressed to
today where he was able to overcome it
successfully. "Bullying,
for me, was a part of my life for a long time. Thankfully, in no small
part of my best friends, teachers and family, I was able to overcome
it. I hope the messages you take back home from today will inspire you to
live better lives, minus the bullying," Cassar
said. The students
were then shown the Wests Tigers "It's Not Cool To Be Cruel!!
Anti-Bullying DVD, which features several key messages and strategies
on bullying from the players and Nathan. The DVD is an important part
of the usual primary school program. Wests Tigers' fullback and
enthusiastic program supporter, Blake Lazarus, commented on the DVD by
highlighting the importance of speaking to someone you can
trust. "One
important point to remember and take home today is if you are
experiencing bullying you let someone know that you can trust. Only
then can you get the help you need," Lazarus
said. “Wests Tigers
and I are extremely proud to be part of this valuable
program." Finally, the
students were welcomed by Katrina Risteska, best known for becoming a
top 3 female dancer in the most recent season of "So You Think
You Dance", and being its most vibrant and inspiring personality
yet. Katrina is
also recognisable from her many TV appearances which includes the Sultana
Bran ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ commercials, the Optus ‘We Are The
Future’ campaign and as a featured dancer in many music
videos. With a
passion and determination to inspire young child's lives after her
experience on So You Think You Can Dance, Katrina saw the It's Not Cool To
Be Cruel!! Anti-Bullying Program as an opportunity to give back in a
positive and lasting way. She joins the
Wests Tigers as an advocate of the program at future primary school
presentations. Katrina spoke about her own experience with bullying,
and how she found the strength to rise above it to become the success
she is today. "When Nathan approached me to be a part of this
program, I was so honoured and excited to jump on board as it is something
I’ve experienced personally," Risteska said. "I’m sure
everyone has experienced bullying at some point in their lives. I’ve been bullied in primary school, high school and
even dancing.
Unfortunately
I’ve learnt that when your good or successful at something, there will
always be people wanting to drag you down.
To learn more about Katrina, visit her Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/katrinaristeska Check out the local Camden News Stories and more photos from the day!! Watch this space for more Cool Not Cruel updates, including any news on Katrina's exciting future! |
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