When the 72, Year 6 students from Parkfield Primary School left for camp last week, they were all carrying a secret weapon in their pockets.
Each student had prepared a personal commitment they pocketed as a reminder of their own 'power' to choose their thoughts, words and actions.
Bunbury Choose Respect chairman Peter Rigden led the students through an information session on Choose Respect in preparation for the camp, outlining the seven Codes of Conduct of Choose Respect and demonstrating how they impact our every day lives.
Mr Rigden said challenging the students to consider how their actions would look like, sound like and feel like, helped them develop tools that would be important as they grow older.
"Respect isn't instinctive, it must be taught and helping our young people learn how to respect themselves, consider how others may feel and deal with conflict, is all part of building resilience which is so important for their future and for that of our community," he said.
Class teacher Shane Maher said the camp was a big event in the students lives, and many of them would be attempting activities they had never encountered before.
"Activities such as raft building and high ropes teach the students team and leadership skills, and trust and respect is a vital aspect of these activities," he said.
Mr Maher said the Choose Respect message was empowering for the students and linked well with the school vision of striving for excellence and becoming active citizens who make healthy and responsible decisions.
