A local school has purchased over 100 school packs to support local children struggling with domestic violence, after receiving a donation from local artist Emma Blyth.
Ms Blythe raised the funds through donating her artwork at last year’s Crab Fest, and has given a portion to the school in support of the Peel Says No To Violence alliance.
Mandurah Primary School will provide a school pack containing a school uniform, school bag, lunchbox and stationery, to children who have been identified as having domestic violence trauma.
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The school signed a pledge to support the alliance in 2017 and have continued to work out ways to support students who are experiencing violence at home.
Mandurah Primary School principal Natasha Upcott said providing the bags would relieve pressure on parents and would help to keep children in school.
“If we don’t give kids the chance to come to school and to fit in, they’re just going to struggle,” she said.
The combination of these factors can mean that kids don’t make it to school and that if they do, school can be an additional source of anxiety
- Mandurah Primary School principal Natasha Upcott
“Supplying them with a uniform and basic equipment means they looks like everyone else and will not feel excluded, when levels of trauma and anxiety are often already high.”
Ms Upcott said issues at home included financial hardship, mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse and staying in temporary accommodation.
She said the school had “quite a few” students who live at the Pat Thomas House women’s refuge.
“The combination of these factors can mean that kids don’t make it to school and that if they do, school can be an additional source of anxiety,” she said.
Ms Upcott said two families had received the school packs this year.
She credited her staff for being aware, sensitive and offering assistance without parents having to ask.
“One parent who was the recipient of the packs commented that no school had ever sat and spoken with the family like that before,” Ms Upcott said.
She thanked Ms Blyth for the donation that made it possible to purchase the bag packs.
“It is an amazing opportunity, thanks to Emma,” she said. She said Emma and her mother are in the process of making library bags to accompany the school packs.
Ms Upcott is urging other schools in the region to join the Peel Says No To Violence alliance and make a pledge. She said things could be learnt through sharing sessions and a collective approach to the issue.
A spokesperson from the Peel Says No to Violence alliance commended the school.
“Their efforts embody the vision of the project and we look forward to watching the ripple effect as they continue telling a different story about family and domestic violence in the Peel a priority.”