Teacher Naomi Gash said the three week program, run by Wise Self Defence, was funded through a Horsham Rural City Council grant.

She said the sessions were designed to prevent violence against women.

“If we tackle it in the school we can tackle it in the community,” she said.

Miss Gash said both male and female year 9 students took part in the classes.

“We aimed it at women in the sense of learning to use those defensive skills and men in terms of respecting women,” she said.

She said the sessions were successful.

“All the kids were really passionate, they felt inspired and empowered,” she said.

Miss Gash said the school’s teachers also took part in a session.

She said a session for all year levels would be available for students next term.

Miss Gash said she hoped to do the classes annually.