MacKillop College was one of the schools participating, dedicating the day to bullying prevention. 

Activities included writing positive messages to hang up around the school, having a giant picnic lunch together and a photo competition. 

Students were also asked to wear blue in support of the ‘Do it for Dolly’ campaign, which was created following the suicide of 14-year-old Amy ‘Dolly’ Everett, allegedly due to bullying. 

“The money for the casual clothes day we are donating to the Kids Helpline, a service of YourTown,” pastoral care coordinator Nick Dawes said.

He said the school’s junior councillors were instrumental in organising the day and had also come up with an inclusive initiative. 

“Year 7 and 8 councillors are taking ice creams around to all of the kids [at the picnic] and we are encouraging a ‘You can sit with us’ campaign,” Mr Dawes said.

“That is something we are doing today and it is something we are looking at doing all the time. It was an idea of the junior councillors.” 

Mr Dawes said bullying prevention is an integral part of education at MacKillop College and was not limited to the National Day of Action.

“All schools, not just MacKillop, are working really tirelessly every day to deal with peer relationships, bullying and cyber bullying and it is really important that we have the support of not only parents, but the government as well,” he said. 

Prior to the National Day of Action, schools around Bathurst were encouraged to register for the day and to have staff and students wear blue.