RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS 

Respectful Relationships – A Whole-School Approach

Welcome to this new, regular item in our newsletter: Respectful Relationships. Through this feature page, we will introduce our Respectful Relationships team of teachers, education support staff and parents, and also share information with the community that gives insight into how we support the development of respectful relationships at RPS and embed the promotion and modelling of respect and equality.

With our vision for the children of Ripponlea “to be global and creative thinkers who are empowered with the skills and empathy to engage with an ever-changing world”, we firmly believe that extending our learning beyond the curriculum is a powerful way to drive real and lasting positive change. 

All of us would agree that schools should teach empathy and respect for others. Schools therefore play an important role in fostering a climate where there is respect for the diversity of beliefs and families within the community, open and respectful community dialogue, and ensuring that diversity is visible, acknowledged and celebrated.

One way of doing this will be evident this Friday. Our student leaders recently proposed organising a day, similar to IDAHOBIT, to support the wellbeing of young people who identify as same-sex attracted or gender diverse. We are extremely proud of our student leaders to celebrate diversity in this way and to engage empathetically with people who frequently encounter discrimination. 

Understandably, some members of our community, particularly our youngest, may not yet be aware of such issues. For that reason, the day is about celebrating diversity and on that point, we would like to acknowledge the Rainbow in our families:

Talking the Talk

Parents, carers and educators of primary school students know that these children have questions and curiosity that relate to their bodies, babies, friends and other relationships. In responding to these questions, parents/carers and teachers are often worried that they will either provide too much information too soon, or, too little too late. 

By the start of primary school, most children know that some parts of the body are private. By the age of 6, children will often have shown an interest in how babies are made. It is not uncommon for some children from the age of eight to show signs of beginning puberty. 

For these reasons and more, it is really important that sexuality and sex education is taught at schools and that, in partnership with parents/carers, we provide for a quality and age-appropriate program.

To further develop their capacity and that of their colleagues, Lucy Clover, Sarah Coughlin and Jess Grey had the privilege of working with Vanessa Hamilton for a day last week on the topic of “Talking the Talk”. Vanessa is highly regarded in her field as an experienced sexual health nurse and educator, and many of you may remember her very popular and well-received workshops for RPS parents last year.

Sexuality and sex education addresses important curriculum outcomes in the areas of health and personal/social development. Vanessa helped identify how relevant concepts are covered in Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR), a suite of curriculum resources for sequencing learning from the start of primary school through to VCE. Resources have also been adapted to address consent education which becomes mandatory for all Australian schools from next year.

Vanessa clarified the positive outcomes that research has shown arise from quality resources and programs like RRRR; young people are more likely to practise respect in their interpersonal relationships, they are less likely to take part in risk-taking behaviours, they are more likely to feel positive about gender identity, and, very importantly, they are less vulnerable to abuse. 

We look forward to learning more from Vanessa Hamilton so that our RRRR program is accessible, age-appropriate, inclusive and up-to-date. If you would already like to know more, please visit Vanessa's website: https://www.talkingthetalksexed.com.au/ which includes book recommendations for parents.

The Respectful Relationships Team

Look out for information about us in the next newsletter!