KEY POINTS:
An anti-bullying programme in which members of the Warriors will use league analogies to teach students that it is okay to ask for help has been introduced in Manurewa.
Warriors Against Bullying, which was instigated in Wigan by former Warriors and Kiwis captain Dean Bell, has been used overseas with great success for the past six years.
The programme - which is being launched at Leabank Primary in partnership with the police Bluelight programme - will be trialled in eight South Auckland schools that were handpicked by police education officers.
Bluelight chief operating officer Brendon Crompton said only one class in each of the trial schools would do the programme, which consists of a series of lessons led by eight Warriors and then teachers.
During the first lesson, the Warriors use the league theme to get key messages across such as "if you have been bullied pass the info on". The analogy used is pass the ball on, as you do on the field.
Mr Crompton said the class "scores a try" when everyone works together to prevent bullying at school. Stories are also told about a bully in a league team and how the matter should be handled.
Teachers follow the messages up in several more lessons.
At the end of the programme the students then tell their Warrior mentors, parents, teachers and schoolmates at an assembly what they have learned. This can be done through song, powerpoint presentation, a play or other creative outlet.
Once students complete the programme, they become WAB members and get a WAB certificate and wristband showing that they have adopted the anti-bullying message.
Mr Crompton said Warriors participating in the programme were giving up their own time to run it for "the betterment of the community". He said the programme would be followed up by police programmes such as Kia Kaha which are delivered by police education officers.
