School takes creative approach to solutions on family violence

SUNBURY Downs College students have learnt about the impact of family violence and sexual assault as part of a dedicated day of awareness and creativity dubbed Lovebites.
The whole day workshop last Tuesday saw year 10 students work with police officers, nurses, lawyers and more to understand the issues and brainstorm potential solutions.
While the subject matter may have been confronting, students took to the problems creatively, with a peace garden one of the artistic responses.

Portraits, banners, slogans empowering respect and resisting violence were also created on the day.
Student Kieran told the Leader it was daunting family violence was so prevalent.
“There was a lot of discussion about speaking up and spreading the message of not accepting family violence,” he said.
Sunbury Youth Resource Officer Leigh Johnson said the message facilitated by police was bystanders have a huge role in standing up to domestic violence.
Sunbury businesses Specsavers Sunbury and OnTime Delivery Solutions sponsored the workshop.

Meanwhile, the college has appointed Kennedy Nolan Architects to design its recently announced $3.92 million rebuild.
The funds committed at this year’s State Budget have paved the way for the modernisation of facilities, including the refurbishment of classrooms and other facilities that have deteriorated.
Sunbury state Labor MP Josh Bull said the appointment of the architect was “an exciting first step towards delivering the modern, safe and stimulating facilities that staff and students at Sunbury Downs College deserve”.
“Sunbury Downs has fantastic staff and students, and we are making sure they have state-of-the-art facilities to match,” he said.

This article was written by Barry Kennedy of the Sunbury Leader and was copied from here.