A primary school in Townsville is celebrating a dramatic turnaround in student behaviour and wellbeing, having successfully cut bullying incidents in half by embracing a unique program rooted in country values.
A Rural Philosophy Transforms a City School
William Ross State High School, located in the heart of Townsville, has implemented the "You Can Do It!" program with a distinctive rural twist. The initiative, which has been running for over a year, focuses on core principles often associated with country life: respect, resilience, and community.
Instead of traditional punitive measures, the program encourages students to look out for one another and take collective responsibility for their school environment. Teachers and staff have been trained to foster a culture where every student feels a sense of belonging and is empowered to call out disrespectful behaviour.
Measurable Success in Student Wellbeing
The results of this cultural shift are not just anecdotal. School data reveals a 50% reduction in formal bullying complaints since the program's introduction. Attendance rates have improved, and teachers report a noticeable positive change in the overall school atmosphere.
Principal Sharon Volp emphasises that the strategy goes beyond mere conflict resolution. "It's about building character," she explains. "We're teaching kids the values of mateship and giving everyone a fair go—values that are deeply ingrained in Australian country communities." The program includes regular classroom discussions, role-playing scenarios, and peer-mentoring sessions designed to build empathy and social skills.
A Model for Broader Adoption
The success at William Ross State High School is now drawing attention from other educational institutions grappling with similar issues. The school's leadership believes their "country approach" is a replicable model that could benefit urban and regional schools across Queensland and beyond.
Education experts point to the program's strength in addressing the social and emotional roots of bullying, rather than just its symptoms. By creating an environment where respect is the norm, the school has proactively reduced the opportunities for bullying to take hold. The focus remains on sustaining this positive culture and ensuring every student has the confidence and support to thrive.
This Townsville school's journey demonstrates that sometimes, the most effective solutions for modern urban challenges can be found in timeless, community-oriented values.
