Sammy and two former students have brought the string movement to Orange.

Students wear brightly coloured string wrist bands as a show of solidarity that bullying stops with them.

The idea is that students wear the bracelets in support of all those who’ve been a victim of bullying. It’s a representation that they vow to step in if they witness a case of bullying.

“It shows that we all stand together,” she said.

“We all will step in for each other.”

Sammy said she got the idea from a church group she attends. The string movement has taken hold in schools across the world.

Sammy believes bullying is on the rise. She said with the introduction of social media it can be hard for schools and parents to stop it. Bullying no longer is limited to within school walls.

She said she believes the strong movement will make a difference in Orange.

“It has already made a difference to some people because they know that we’re all here for them,” she said.

Kinross Wolaroi head tutor Bridie Brideoake was proud of the students. She said all Kinross students made the commitment by wearing the bracelets.

“The boys are the ones who’ve really taken it on board,” Mrs Brideoake said.

“There so excited and really engaged with the braiding.”

Mrs Brideoake said the students have a prepared response when they’re asked why they are wearing the bracelets.

“Bullying, it’s not okay,” she said.

The string movement has already spread from beyond the Kinross walls. Canobolas Rural Technology High School, Orange Anglican Grammar School and James Sheahan Catholic High School students are wearing the coloured wrist bands.

Mrs Brideoake said statistics show in 60 per cent of cases, that if a bystander who witnesses bullying steps in, in 10 seconds the bullying stops. 

“Bystanders need to have the courage to say something.”