Respectful Relationships 

Respectful Relationships Term 4

Topic 7, Gender norms and stereotypes, and Topic 8, Positive gender relationships, are being explored across the different year levels this term through Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships. As student progress through each year level they build on their learning from the previous year. 

Here is an outline of the aims for each of the Topics 7 & 8:

Foundation

Topic 7:

Activities within this topic area will assist students to:

• reflect on the influence of gender norms and stereotypes

• develop an awareness of positive and negative gender norms

• challenge negative gender norms

• develop appreciation and respect for difference.

Topic 8:

Activities within this topic area will assist students to:

• develop an understanding of the negative impacts of gender-based violence

• develop an understanding of the positive impact of respectful gender relations

• practice enacting skills to support positive peer relations

• practise strategies they can use to help keep themselves safe or seek help in situations involving gender-based violence.

Years 1 & 2

Topic 7:

Activities within this topic area will assiststudents to:

• reflect on their identity via a focuson their likes, dislikes and strengths

• develop an awareness of positiveand negative gender norms

• challenge negative gender norms

• develop an appreciation of difference.

Topic 8:

Activities within this topic area will assiststudents to:

• develop an understanding of genderbasedviolence as involving unfair andhurtful behaviours based on ideas aboutwhat it means to be a boy, girl or genderdiverseperson

• identify how gender-based violence caninclude things that people say (verbal),things that they do to other people’sbodies or possessions (physical), or thingsthat affect how safe or welcome otherpeople feel, for example, ignoring them,leaving them out or laughing at them(psychological)

• examine the effects of physical, verbaland psychological forms of gender-basedviolence

• identify and practise respectful andgender-friendly behaviours

• develop and practise assertive and helpseekingstrategies to protect themselveswhen they feel unsafe in situationsinvolving gender-based violence.

Years 3 & 4

Toipc 7:

Activities within this topic area will assiststudents to:

• analyse their multifaceted identities

• differentiate between the terms ‘sex’ and‘gender’

• identify the limiting or harmful effects ofsome gender norms

• identify the enabling effects of positivegender norms

• develop awareness of the ways thatgender stereotypes in media and literatureinfluence gender norms

• challenge negative gender normsexperienced in their own school orcommunity contexts.

Topic 8:

Activities within this topic area will assiststudents to:

• identify different forms of gender-basedviolence, including physical, verbal andpsychological violence

• examine the effects of gender-basedviolence on victim-survivors, witnessesand those who intentionally use violence

• describe and demonstrate whatrespectful, gender-inclusive behaviourslook like in action

• assess situations involving forms ofgender-based violence to considerpossible responses (safely leave,intervene, refuse to participate, seek help)

• describe and practise help-seeking skillsand strategies that can be used whenencountering uncomfortable or unsafesituations involving peers or adults

• rehearse and refine strategies forseeking, giving and denying consentrespectfully and describe situations whereconsent is required.

Years 5 & 6

Toipc 7:

Activities within this topic area will assiststudents to:

• analyse the impact of peer and adultactions in maintaining or changingcontemporary gender norms

• develop an awareness of the impactof gender norms on the attitudes andbehaviours of those enteringadolescence

• identify the standards and associatedactions that underpin respectful genderrelations.

Topic 8:

Activities within this topic area will assiststudents to:

• define gender-based violence

• develop strategies for building positiveand respectful relationships

• explore the relationship betweennegative gender norms and acceptanceof gender-based violence

• identify and normalise behaviours thatdemonstrate respect and recognition ofthe rights of others within interpersonalrelationships

• understand what is meant by ‘affirmativeconsent’ in relation to intimaterelationships

• demonstrate proactive peer-support andhelp-seeking strategies that can be usedin response to instances of gender-basedviolence.

The Respectful Relationships curriculum provide a strong foundation for the way we learn, play and care for one another at school. At Karoo, Respectful Relationships is closely connected to our school values of Kindness, Personal Excellence and Tenacity. 

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