Principal News 

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope that you all enjoyed a break from the alarm clock and that you are all feeling refreshed and ready for a new term. 

Family Movie Night

Our family movie night is coming up next week as the Parents & Friends group (PFA) bring the magic of the cinema to ENPS. Bring a comfy cushion and sit back with your family as we screen Zootopia 2 (PG) under the stars on Friday May 1st. There will be warm buttery popcorn to purchase and a local coffee van selling a selection of hot and cold drinks. You're also welcome to bring your own picnic / take away feast.

Tickets are available here:  https://www.trybooking.com/DLNSY

Why do we teach Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships at our school?

In 2015 The Royal Commission into Family Violence identified the critical role that schools and early childhood education have in creating a culture of respect to change the story of family violence for future generations.

In 2016, respectful relationships education became a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from foundation to year 12 and is being taught in all government and Catholic schools and many independent schools.

Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) is an evidence-based, Victorian curriculum-aligned program for Prep-12, teaching social-emotional skills to build respectful relationships and prevent gender-based violence. It covers topics like emotional literacy, positive coping, and gender equality, aiming to foster student wellbeing and reduce antisocial behaviours. 

Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are embedded in our education settings.

Respectful Relationships is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across our entire community, from our classrooms to staffrooms, playgrounds, sporting fields and social events. This approach leads to positive impacts on student’s academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships between teachers and students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is RRRR?

  It is a comprehensive, school-based program focused on building student resilience, understanding rights, and fostering respectful, equitable relationships to prevent violence, particularly gender-based violence.

• What topics are covered?

  The program covers eight core topics: Emotional Literacy, Personal Strengths, Positive Coping, Problem-Solving, Stress Management, Help-Seeking, Gender and Identity, and Positive Gender Relations.

• Is this mandatory?

  Respectful Relationships education is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from Prep to Year 12.

• Is it age-appropriate?

  Yes, the learning materials are scaffolded and tailored for different developmental stages, from foundation (primary) through to secondary education.

• What is a "whole-school approach"?

  It means that respectful relationships are taught in the classroom, modelled by staff, and embedded in the school culture, rather than being a standalone subject.

• How does this prevent violence?

  Research indicates that teaching social-emotional skills, gender equality, and respectful, positive gender norms early in life is a key strategy for reducing family and gender-based violence.

Together, we can lead the way in saying yes to respect and equality and creating genuine and lasting change so that every child can achieve their full potential.

There are some common myths that are sometimes quoted as fact when people are discussing RRRR. Here are some common misunderstandings and the corresponding facts:

1. Misconception: It is a "Sex Education" Program 

• Myth: The RRRR program is a form of sex education.
• Fact: The program is entirely separate from sex education in the curriculum. It focuses on social and emotional learning, emotional literacy, positive coping, problem-solving, and building respectful relationships. 

2. Misconception: It is Not Age-Appropriate

• Myth: The material is too mature for young children.
• Fact: The materials were developed by experts from the University of Melbourne and are specifically tailored to be age-appropriate, from Foundation (prep) through to Year 12. 

3. Misconception: It Teaches "Radical Gender Theory" or "Gender Neutrality" 

• Myth: The program tries to make children gay, non-binary, or trans, or forbids boys from playing with trucks and girls from playing with dolls.
• Fact: The program aims to remove rigid gender stereotypes, ensuring children are not restricted in their play or aspirations (e.g., teaching that girls can be firefighters and boys can be nurses). It aims to foster respect and equality. 

4. Misconception: It is the Same as "Safe Schools" 

• Myth: Respectful Relationships and Safe Schools are the same initiative.
• Fact: They are different. Safe Schools focuses on preventing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ students, while Respectful Relationships is a broader curriculum-based program focused on building positive relationships and tackling the drivers of gender-based violence. 

5. Misconception: It Only Focuses on Feminism or Ignores Boys 

• Myth: It is an anti-male program that teaches that boys are bad or that family violence only affects women.
• Fact: The program addresses all students. It teaches students to manage emotions, such as anger and frustration, and helps both boys and girls develop non-violent, positive coping strategies. 

6. Misconception: It Means "No More Fairy Tales"

• Myth: The program bans traditional fairy tales in schools.
• Fact: Fairy tales are still part of the curriculum. The program encourages educators to offer a diverse range of stories that present a variety of roles for men and women, rather than replacing old stories entirely. 

7. Misconception: It is Ineffective 

• Myth: Education cannot solve problems like family violence.
• Fact: Evidence shows that school-based, whole-of-school approaches can lead to lasting changes in attitudes and behaviours. It is considered a crucial primary prevention step to change the culture that enables violence. 

ANZAC Day Service

On Saturday morning our school captains will be participating in the Dawn Service at Eltham and laying a wreath in honour of our fallen soldiers. If you would like to join the service details are below.

Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend!