‘Confidence, not conflict’: Kiama jiu-jitsu school to host free anti-bullying class for kids

With bullying no longer confined to the schoolyard, Brazilian jiu-jitsu school Gracie Barra’s new Kiama studio is hosting a free anti-bullying class for kids aged from just five years to help them stand up to bullies – without resorting to violence.

To be held 22 March, the anti-bullying class was designed to give children practical tools to handle bullying safely and with confidence, in a structured and supportive environment.

Vanessa Baldacci and her husband, Professor Marcus Lima, opened Gracie Barra Kiama last year, expanding on their successful school in Shellharbour, which has been operating for 10 years.

She said through the schools, one of the key elements they taught was that Brazilian jiu-jitsu was a non-violent martial art.

“One of the main benefits of jiu-jitsu is the self-confidence kids can gain once they start learning, and the ability to stand up for themselves against the bully,” she said.

“For example, in school, we know it’s very common.

“We wanted to have this class open to the community, so people can bring their kids and get a feel for what jiu-jitsu is.”

She said they were particularly passionate about this form of martial art and the benefits it brought, with Marcus having learned Brazilian jiu-jitsu in Brazil, before moving to Australia and noticing few people were doing it here.

“It’s a non-violent martial art – there’s no kick or punch in jiu-jitsu,” she said.

“It’s all about controlling the person on the ground and being able to escape from a hard situation.

“If every kid did jiu-jitsu, they would be so much more confident, and it would be so much better at school.

“You’ll be able to talk to your teachers, you’ll be able to speak up for yourself and never hurt the other person.”

She said the idea behind the anti-bullying class was to help kids and parents understand what jiu-jitsu was, learn simple and practical self-defence techniques, build confidence and resilience, and learn how to respond to bullying without aggression.

“We know that by joining a one-hour class, you’re not going to leave the class being a specialist,” she said.

“But just the little techniques we’re going to show and the simple moves, it can make a whole lot of difference.”

Vanessa said they had run the free classes many times at their Shellharbour school, which now boasts 400 students from the age of three to 15, and often the question from parents was the same.

“There’s a big misconception from some parents that if the child starts martial arts, the kid is going to become aggressive,” she said.

“It’s the total opposite. They learn how to fight so they never have to fight. The more they know, the less they do.

“So by learning concepts on how to defend yourself, it brings you so much confidence and you’re not going to care when someone says something.

“When you show the person that you care and are bothered, they feel like they have power over you, and that’s how the bullying continues.”

She said bullying had changed a lot since they opened the studio in Shellharbour 10 years ago.

“In the past, we felt like it was just at school,” she said.

“You were in school, someone bullies you or pushes you, but then when you go home that is your safe place.

“Now the bully is online, so it doesn’t stop in school.”

She said with students using phones to film and upload videos of bullying, she applauded NSW schools for not permitting phones during school at least.

The free anti-bullying class will be held on 22 March at noon at the Gracie Barra Kiama studio at 3B Brown Street. Parents are encouraged to register their children.