Mary checks in on anti-bullying project @ schools in Århus

"Is it not correct that you'll soon become a queen?" asked one of the boys in "Smilehullet" thoughtfully. The Crown Princess laughed a little and said, "I think there is more time to pass before that happens." All photos DR/Aarhus ST © Henning Bagger/Scanpix

Yesterday (November 29) Crown Princess Mary visited a kindergarten and a school in Århus where the Save the Children pilot project Free from Bullying has been put into practice. As we know from the launch of the anti-bullying program in Denmark, it was inspired by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation of Australia and Mary's visit yesterday was to have a chat with teachers and children to see how things are going, since she has been very closely involved with it since its inception. Indeed, it was Mary's idea to modify the Australian Better Buddies program for Denmark. The sharp-eyed will notice Caroline Heering accompanied Mary on this occasion. In a possible sign of how the ladies-in-waiting will share different tasks, it was in this instance that Caroline Heering was involved in this project from the beginning.





From Århus Stiftstidende: Crown Princess Mary informs herself about bullying in Tilst - Crown Princess Mary visits the integrated daycare and pre-school institutions 'Venøvej 7' and 'Smilehullet' in Tilst. She will pop in and talk with the teachers and the children on how the project "Free from Bullying" is working out. Next she will visit the school ' Skjoldhøjskolen'. The projects are inspired by the The Alannah and Madeline Foundation of Australia.
Århus Stiftstidende (in Danish) 'Fri for mobberi i Skjoldhøj' (Free from bullying in Skjoldhøj'
Jyllands Posten 'Mary mødte glade børn' - Mary meets happy kids:

By Kay Rasmussen 29 Nov 07
Crown Princess Mary visited the Skjold high school and two kindergardens for three hours in Tilst in order to see how far the Århus Municipality has progressed with the Save the Children's project "Free from bullying".
Crown Princess Mary met many happy and engaged children, when she visited Tilst yesterday for three hours.
As patron of the of the Save the Children's project "Free from bullying" she first visited the two kindergardens Venøvej 7 and Smilehullet (the Dimple!) and then ended with a visit to the Skjold high school.
Århus Muicipality together with Gentofte and Kolding municipalities are the three taking part in the pilot project for the prevention of bullying.
Massage and song - During the visit the Crown Princess had a first-hand look at how the campaign has progressed and how teachers and pupils do practical work on preventing bullying in day-care centres, for instance through massage, song and conversations.
"The Crown Princess contacted us two years ago at The Save the Children Fund and offered to contibute on a plan that she knew from Australia, and asked whether it was something for us to try in Denmark to help solve [problems of bullying].
We eagerly accepted her offer and ever since she has used her background knowledge from Australia and participated very actively in the development of the project, which in practice was implemented in February this year in three municipalities," explained Save the Children's director Mimi Jakobsen.
Examples - The Crown Princess was in Tilst to be able to see examples of how to work on influencing especially the youngest children to realise the idea that bullying is always wrong.
After the visits in the two kindergardens Mary went with the whole board from The Save the Children Fund to the Skjold high school, where [Mary] was invited to share in a tempting plate with bread, made at the school's canteen kitchen during a half-hour luch break.
Afterwards, there were 60 children gathered on chairs in the canteen and later nearly 100 more children took their place at the front to sing.
The children have worked on the songs for a while now, and the small voices entered into the task very well, helped by knowing the words by heart.
Like the leader of the after-school day care program, Jimmy Vistisen said "one doesn't tease another as much if they sing together with."
Mary was given a book with texts from some children as well as a CD with recordings of the three songs that the children from the school youth centre Frit, the Globe and Holmstrup House have recorded.
The children of course also got CDs, which will probably be under many Christmas trees.

Save the Children (in English)
Free from Bullying (in Danish) - the page for accessing materials and info about anti-bullying
The Alannah and Madeline Foundation
Better Buddies - One of our key prevention programs is the Better Buddies Framework, a whole-school initiative designed to create safe and caring school communities where bullying is reduced. We play an advocacy role and are a voice against childhood violence. The National Coalition Against Bullying (NCAB), a group of experts in the field of childhood bullying and the creation of safe schools and communities, is an initiative of the Foundation. NCAB provides expert knowledge so that we can deliver effective prevention and advocacy programs aimed at keeping children safe from violence.
See DRWs post Mary launches Save the Children anti-bullying project

DR1 video clip (0:33)
TV2 ØST (from top of the bulletin 2:45)
TV2 news clip (1:18) - At the end of this clip at Smilehullet (The Dimple) the questions went off course a bit. "Is it not correct that you'll soon become a queen?" asked one of the boys in "Smilehullet" thoughtfully. The Crown Princess laughed a little and said, "I think there is more time to pass before that happens."
DR1 news clip (2:07)

Melbourne was the next stop

Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary and Christian spent the night and today in Melbourne. Mary's friend Amber Petty now lives back in Melbourne, so presumably they caught up, along with other friends from Mary's Melbourne days. The Crown Prince family are presumed to now be in Sydney. Where? We will see no doubt!

Crown Princess Mary is the patron of the The Alannah and Madeline Foundation. Read the Better Buddies Program 2006 and read about Walter Mikac and follow the links to find out why this is important to Mary. Also a link to the Aspendale Gardens Primary School and info about their student wellbeing/better buddies approach which Mary has helped connect to new programs in Denmark. Mary is involved in a working party for the Red Barnet/Save the Children Fund in Denmark to mobilise anti-bullying programs in Danish schools based on the model developed in Australia and promoted by the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. If you have sharp eyes you will see John Bertram, the captain of Mary's boat in the pre-wedding match race in Copenhagen, who is involved with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.



November 29, 2006. Melbourne, VIC. Princess Mary visit to Aspendale Primary School. Crown Princess Mary saying goodbye and smiling at the childrens' parents waiting outside the grounds.



November 29, 2006. Melbourne, Vic. Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark visit Southbank precinct for lunch.


.... and some media reports.


From The Herald Sun (Melbourne):

Eat, drink and be Mary

Kelly Ryan and Chloe Adams
November 30, 2006 12:00am

CROWN Princess Mary proved she is the people's princess yesterday.
The royal popped in to a suburban state primary school and lunched on the balcony of a popular Melbourne cafe.
After flying into Melbourne on Jetstar the day before, Princess Mary looked cool and stylish in white pants and jacket as she strolled past stunned shoppers at Southbank.
Her casually dressed husband, Crown Prince Frederik, looked relaxed as he walked beside her.
The down-to-earth couple chose popular eatery Blue Train for a quick bite.
It was a sentimental visit for Mary, who used to lunch there when she worked for a nearby advertising agency.
While diners chatted in nearby seats unaware of the royal presence, the pair sat quietly at table 418.
They munched on a salad then had coffee.
Both sipped tap water with a slice of lemon.
Four plain-clothes security guards seated nearby blended in well until one was called on to escort the princess to the ladies' room.
Waitresses sighed with relief when the royals left, one quipping: "The boys have gone off to faint".
Mary spent the morning with excited children at Aspendale Gardens Primary School.
The surprise visit was a chance for her to learn first-hand about Better Buddies, a program initiative of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, of which she is international patron.
Designed to stop schoolyard bullying, Better Buddies matches older students with their younger classmates.
Alannah and Madeline Foundation chairman John Bertrand said the school was chosen as one of 700 across the nation to introduce the program.
Princess Mary plans to implement a variation of Better Buddies in Danish schools through Save the Children Denmark.
She proved a hit with the kids during her two-hour visit.
"It was fantastic. You know, she is quite a lady," Mr Bertrand said.
"She learnt a lot and she is very inquisitive and intelligent and the kids loved it.
"They were all struck with this woman of Denmark. The kids were just looking at her and interested in this young woman and were totally honest about the Better Buddies program.
"You can't fool kids -- they are straight to the point."
The princess visited several classes and asked the children questions.
"She was drilling down to understand how the program works and it was very exciting, I must say," Mr Bertrand said.
Prince Frederik spent the morning at St Kilda children's store Chalk n Cheese, where he bought clothing for son Christian.


From The Hobart Mercury:
Mary steps out in Melbourne

November 29, 2006 12:00am

CROWN Princess Mary tried to shun publicity when she made a surprise low key and private visit to a suburban primary school this morning.
The Danish royal who hails from Down Under popped in to Aspendale Gardens Primary School for a lesson on the Alannah and Madeline Foundation's Better Buddies program.
As International Patrol of the Foundation, the Crown Princess hopes to implement a variation of the Better Buddies Framework in Danish schools through Save the Children Denmark.
The program aims to reduce the incidence and effect of schoolyard bullying.
Alannah and Madeline Foundation chairman John Bertrand said Princess Mary was relaxed and delightful with the primary schoolchildren during her two hour visit.
Aspendale Gardens Primary was chosen for the royal visit because it was one of the first schools to adopt Better Buddies in which older students are given responsibility for the youngest kids in their school communities.
Excited children could be heard screaming in glee during Princess Mary's visit.
Shoppers at Melbourne's Southgate received a royal surprise when Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik visited today.

Seven News video clip (1:15) The day Princess Mary came to school 7News - Wed Nov 29 4:46 PM EST
Princess Mary has given a group of Melbourne school kids a thrill, surprising them with a visit to their school.

Sky News Australia Online:

Mary in Melbourne

Princess Mary has given a group of Melbourne school-kids a thrill with a surprise visit to Aspendale Gardens Primary School.
The tour was kept top secret operation, with the students only finding out about their special guest at the last moment.
Princess Mary was touring the school to learn about their 'Better Buddies' program, which is an anti-bullying scheme the Princess wants to take back to Denmark.
Melbourne is the second last destination for the Royals' Australian visit, before they head off to Sydney.

The Age (Melbourne)

Princess Mary 'staying in Melbourne'

November 29, 2006 - 6:24AM

Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, along with their son Prince Christian, are believed to be staying in Melbourne.
The Danish royals are staying at Como in suburban South Yarra, according to News Limited.
Mary left Tasmania after spending six days with her family on a private visit.
The Hobart-born princess flew from Hobart to Melbourne with her 13-month-old son.
Crown Prince Frederik is believed to have left Hobart on Tuesday morning.
Royal protocol does not allow Frederik to fly with his son, who is second in line to the Danish throne.
Mary is expected to visit NSW before returning to Denmark early next month.
The royal family spent time in Hobart with Mary's sisters and browsed through galleries and market stalls in the city's historic Salamanca precinct.
The princess showed little sign of a baby bump despite recently announcing she will have her second child in May.
The family managed to evade the media for the final two days of the visit, spending time with Mary's relatives at an unknown location.
© 2006 AAP

From The Daily Telegraph - Sydney Confidential

No-frills Princess thrills

November 29, 2006 12:00

MAGDA Szubanski may be a crowd favourite for her hilarious Jetstar commercials.
But yesterday a no-frills Princess Mary and her royal son Christian proved the best advertisement for the domestic airline, hopping on board for the next leg of their Aussie adventure holiday.
Adding to her image of having the common touch, travelling cattle class like everyone else for the flight to Melbourne, the move also caught out a few paparazzi who expected the Danish royal to travel in private jet set style.
Crown Prince Fred got up early to give the waiting press the slip, travelling on a seperate flight - believed to meet royal protocol, which discourages the heir and spare from flying together.
The royal couple are expected to catch up with Mary's bridesmaid Amber Petty in Melbourne, before joining friends in Sydney later this week.

From The Courier Mail (Brisbane)

She's apples until next time

November 28, 2006 11:00pm

CROWN Princess Mary has farewelled Tasmania, after a six-day visit to the state, with a low-key departure yesterday.
The Tasmanian-born princess and her 13-month-old son Prince Christian left Hobart just before 3pm aboard a flight bound for Melbourne, while Prince Frederik is believed to have left the state earlier in the day.
Mary's departure wrapped up a six-day private stay by the royal trio, who spent time visiting the former Tasmanian schoolgirl's family.
Avoiding the departure lounge, Mary and Christian were driven on to the tarmac by a procession of vehicles, their black Audi 4WD flanked by Federal Police and security personnel.
Smiling, Mary stepped from the Audi, her dark hair, dangling earrings and long cream and black skirt blowing in the light breeze.
As aircrew loaded her luggage – including Christian's pram – on to the plane, the prince, dressed in a long-sleeve grey top and grey pants, looked to the sky as Mary pointed out a helicopter flying overhead.
Royal protocol does not allow Frederik to fly with his son, who is second in line to the Danish throne.