Grade 9 learner inspires peers with anti-bullying song at Zwaanswyk High School
Zwaanswyk High School's Grade 9 pupil, Nishaat Abrahams sang her anti-bullying campaign song during the school assembly.
Image: Wesley Ford
A grade 9 learner at Zwaanswyk High School is using music to spread a message of hope and self-worth as part of the school’s anti-bullying campaign.
Nishaat Abrahams performed her original song, Ugly Girl, during the school assembly last Thursday, encouraging fellow learners to stand against bullying and recognise their value.
She sang her song at the school assembly as part of the school’s anti-bullying campaign, while the senior pupils also shared detailed information on how they will roll out the programme.
Nishaat said it was important to raise this anti-bullying message through this song. “It is important because there are a lot of children out there who feel like they are not worth it, where people are telling them they can’t do anything. I want them to know that they are worth it, and if they listen to my song, they can feel worth it,” she said.
The school’s head of discipline, Grade 12, Quinn-Tino Matthyse said they ran an anti-bullying program each year using different categories. “We want to inform pupils that teachers and pupils are here for you, if you find yourself in a situation where you are bullied,” he said. Matthyse said they want to remove bullying from the school environment completely. “Our highest priority at the school is to ensure that education is here and that there is a good support system,” he said.
Matthyse said the whole school would get involved, where they will sign an anti-bullying pledge and recite an oath. “The anti-bullying campaign is not only about receiving a ribbon for signing a pledge, but it is about creating awareness for victims; it should be a priority each day of your life,” he said.
Acting Deputy Principal, Chaneé Pillay said they aimed to make their learners understand the concept of bullying.
“We want our kids to be educated enough to recognise when they are being ill-treated, we want them to know that they should be able to speak up when someone is making them feel uncomfortable,” she said.
Zwaanswyk High School is committed to their anti-bullying campaign. From left are principal Abigail Demes, Grade 12 learner and head of discipline, Quinn-Tino Matthyse, Grade 9 pupil, Nishaat Abrahams, guest, Ms Supreme semi-finalist, Tess Danker, acting deputy principal, Chaneé Pillay, Grade 12 Head boy, Qwen Van Duyn, and Grade 12 Head Girl, Saskia Jones.
Image: Wesley Ford