PRIMARY school students are tying dolls and teddy bears to a fence, alongside a banner, in a show of solidarity for children in detention centres.

St Pius X Primary School students and staff are using their prime location on Waterdale Rd in Heidelberg West to engage community support and raise awareness of the plight of children in immigration detention centres.

The sign along the fence — “No to kids in detention centres, not a place to learn” — has already garnered support from parents and others in the community who have either tied a toy to the fence or donated goods to the school.

Principal Barbara Gomez said the project was in line with Friday’s National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.

media_camera A doll tied to the school’s fence. Picture: Martin Reddy

Ms Gomez said the school was offering its fence as a place for people to symbolically show their support.

“Can we meet the challenge and completely cover the length of our fence to show how much we care for all children and their right to freedom and education?” she said.

Ms Gomez said the St Pius X community wanted to raise awareness on the issue of children in detention not receiving an education.

“The key human rights concern is the prolonged damage immigration detention does to children’s development, not only academic development, but also physical, social, emotional and spiritual development,” Ms Gomez said.

“We hope to engage the support of the community by providing an opportunity to say no to kids in detention centres.”

She said the school had been in contact with the charity Save The Children and other agencies that will be able to send the donations to children in detention or need.

media_camera Students Erin, 6, and Majok, 5, at the school fence. Picture: Martin Reddy

type_quote_start “We hope to engage the support of the community by providing an opportunity to say no to kids in detention centres.” — Principal Barbara Gomez. type_quote_end

Students are today expected to show a sea of hands for peace and the inclusion of everyone, Ms Gomez said.

“Parents and others, including elderly people, are coming down to donate or strap things to the fence.”

Catholic Education Office Melbourne executive director Stephen Elder said he offered his support.

“The social justice and human dignity values that Catholic schools teach are at the heart of this issue,” Mr Elder said.

“‘Do unto others what you would have them do to you’ is a strong theme in our social justice mission and St Pius X is making its point in a respectful way.”