A secondary student has launched an award-winning website and accompanying kit to ensure young children easily understand antibullying messages and have quick access to support.

Nathan C, a Year 10 student at Elderslie High School, developed the “It’s Not Cool to be Cruel” website campaign in 2006 as part of an entry in the Minister’s Young Designers Awards.

The project was so impressive that it gained local council and community support to be developed into a school kit aimed at primary school-aged children.

The kit contains a ruler, sticker, bookmark, pencil and information sheet for parents all bearing the slogan “It’s Not Cool to be Cruel”.

The website address is printed on the items so students can easily access anti-bullying strategies.

At his old Camden Public School digs last term, Nathan told almost 300 students the slogan had been placed on everyday objects so they could access the message “anywhere and everywhere”.

“I want primary kids everywhere to learn what bullying is and that help is on hand for kids who need help,” he said.

“Education is the most important thing for young kids and I want all kids feeling safe wherever they might be … to get the message to school children at an early age. I think this will be the best way to make sure kids like you will get the most out of your primary years.”

Camden Public’s principal, Maxelle Matthews, said the campaign will complement the school’s anti-bullying policy and classroom strategies. She hoped it would raise students’ awareness of bullying and help change “mindsets” on how to deal with it.

“The research says that only a minority of bullying cases are reported to an adult so kids are not reporting it – they’re either scared or embarrassed,” Ms Matthews said. “[This] message is so powerful and strong and I think that doing it in a way that kids see it every day using their pencil or using their ruler will get the message across. Over time I am hoping that kids will see that they can stand up to bullies, they won’t put up with bullying behaviour, they won’t be embarrassed by it; they won’t live with it.”

Each student received the kit as part of a pilot to assess its effectiveness, with the possibility of it being used in other schools. Camden Council worked closely with Nathan and Camden Public to coordinate the campaign.

The Camden Lion’s Club donated $2,100 to fund materials and printing costs. Camden mayor Chris Patterson said it was one of the best student initiatives he had seen.

“To have material by a school student in the talk of school kids has to be a positive. I see it as reinforcing the current good standard and helping get that message out there,” he said.

For information go to: www.notcooltobecruel.com

See more information about bullying at: www.bullyingnoway.com.au