Williamstown Primary School News

Wellbeing & Inclusion 

at Willy

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships 

Term 3 Focus - Positive Gender Relationships

The Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) program is a comprehensive social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum developed for Australian primary and secondary schools. At Williamstown Primary School, we teach RRRR every fortnight across all year levels, using the resources, lesson plans, and guidance provided by the Victorian Department of Education.

The RRRR curriculum covers eight key topics in social and emotional learning:

  • Topic 1: Emotional Literacy
  • Topic 2: Personal and Cultural Strengths
  • Topic 3: Positive Coping
  • Topic 4: Problem-solving
  • Topic 5: Stress Management
  • Topic 6: Help-seeking
  • Topic 7: Gender Norms and Stereotypes
  • Topic 8: Positive Gender Relationships

This term, all year levels will explore Topic 8: Positive Gender Relationships, which supports students to:

  • Understand the importance of respectful gender relationships
  • Explore the impact of unfair treatment and gender-based violence
  • Practise skills for building and maintaining positive peer connections
  • Learn safe and supportive ways to seek help if needed

As part of this topic, students will encounter the term violence in age-appropriate ways. They will learn that violence does not just refer to physical harm, but can also include hurtful words, exclusion, intimidation, or behaviour that makes someone feel unsafe—both in person and online. Our approach ensures that this topic is addressed with sensitivity and relevance to the students’ age and stage of development.

Below is an outline of the activities covered at each year level:

Prep

  • Fair and Friendly Play
  • What is Fair? What is violence?
  • Understanding unkind behaviour at school
  • What are clothes for?
  • Keeping my body safe
  • Is this a safe secret?
  • Reconnecting with our strengths

Year 1/2

  • What is violence? What is gender-based violence?
  • The opposite of violence is respect
  • Understanding consent through asking, giving or refusing
  • Respecting personal space and bodies
  • Recognising unsafe secrets
  • No, Go, Tell – asking for help when needed

Year 3/4

  • What is violence? What is gender-based violence?
  • Understanding consent in action
  • Using No, Go, Tell in difficult situations
  • Practising how to ask for help
  • Knowing when and how to seek help

Year 5/6

  • What is violence? What is gender-based violence?
  • Exploring power in relationships
  • Active respect in friendships
  • Understanding and identifying consent
  • Being an upstander – supporting others
  • Seeking help when someone is harmed

Classroom teachers use evidence-based resources and guidance provided by the Department of Education to deliver these lessons. The language and activities used help equip students with the knowledge and confidence to build safe, respectful, and inclusive relationships, advocate for themselves and others, and recognise when to ask for help.

Additionally, our Stand Up Project will complement this topic beautifully. Starting in Week 4, student leaders will run a three-week series of lessons with Year 3/4 students, focusing on being an upstander, understanding the bystander effect, and promoting kindness and connection throughout our school.

 

If you have any questions or concerns about Topic 8: Positive Gender Relationships in the Respectful Relationships curriculum, please contact Mat Montebello.

 

Kind regards,

 

Lisa Leydin                                                                 Anna Swan

Assistant Principal                                                   Learning Specialist

Disability, Inclusion & Wellbeing                        Disability and Inclusion & Mental Health and                                                                                       Wellbeing (Mon-Thur)