Standing up to bullies

A KUNG fu club is helping Year 8 and 9 students to "embrace the warrior within" in a fight to eradicate bullying in schools.

Redbank Plains State High is one of the first schools to adopt the Beat the Bully program developed by Freestyle Kung Fu Academy in Richlands.

Chief instructor Frank Mechler said the initiative was all about empowering students to take ownership of bullying.

"We teach the students to have respect for themselves and others, and the courage to stand up to bullies as a group," he said.

While no martial arts was practised, Sifu Mechler said the program taught students self defence and not to fight.

"We tell the students they are all warriors and teach them to be warriors in their own environments," he said.

"In the school yard there are no weight divisions. Bullies aren't tough, they're not warriors, and they're weak."

At Redbank Plains State High School 48% of Year 8 students had been victims of bullying and 80% had witnessed it.

Year 8 student and Beat the Bully class ambassador Hayden Pearson said he had been physically bullied.

"Bullying is worse in high school than in primary because there are a lot more kids," the 13-year-old said.

Bullying in QLD

Physical and verbal bullying - more common in boys.

Covert and cyber bullying - more common in girls.

383 students arrested for physical assault at school in 2009.

150% increase among girls