'Rock and Water' tackles bullying and violence

Monday 9 October 2006

An international expert in the motivation and self-confidence of young men is the keynote speaker at a conference, to be held in Newcastle next week, discussing a program which has helped to reduce bullying and violence among young people.

It is estimated that one in six children aged between the ages of nine and 17 have been subjected to bullying at school on a weekly basis.*

Freerk Ykema is the creator of the Rock and Water program, created in The Netherlands in the 1980s and introduced to Australia seven years ago.

The program has met with critical acclaim as a way to build self-control, self-confidence and self-respect. The conference, to be hosted by the University of Newcastle's Family Action Centre, is the first of its kind in Australia.

Rock and Water offers teachers a new way to interact with boys through physical exercises linked with mental and social skills. It works with the boys' strengths to reduce bullying and develop self-awareness and self-esteem. The boys learn when to resist (to be a 'rock') and when to let things go (to be 'water').

In the years since Rock and Water was first introduced to Australia, over 10,000 participants have been trained to deliver the program to students.

The inaugural Australian conference involves more than 20 presentations highlighting successful implementation and evaluation of the program. It also showcases stories of the Rock and Water program in Indigenous, rural and urban primary and secondary schools.

The conference will be held on Monday 16 October at Newcastle City Hall from 9am until 6pm.

Freerk Ykema will speak at various times throughout the conference.

A conference program is available at www.newcastle.edu.au/centre/fac/aboutus/conference.html

For media comment, Deborah Hartman, Family Action Centre, on 02 4921 6749.

To organise interviews with speakers, contact Camilla McQualter, Family Action Centre, on 02 4921 7743.

*Source: www.youthfacts.com.au