Respectful Relationships
We are continuing our commitment to social and emotional learning at GPS through the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships initiative. The RRRR initiative is a research-informed approach to provide age-appropriate learning activities. These activities are designed to support students’ social and emotional learning so they can develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills required for respectful relationships with all people in their lives. The RRRR initiative covers the following topics:
Topic 1 - Emotional Literacy
Students develop the ability to be aware of, understand and use information about the emotional states of themselves and others.
Topic 2 - Personal and Culture Strengths
Students develop a vocabulary to help them recognise and understand strengths and positive qualities in themselves and others. They identify the values and strengths they have learnt from role models within their families and culture. They learn to draw on these strengths to face challenges.
Topic 3 - Positive Coping
Students develop language around coping, critically reflect on their coping strategies and extend their repertoire of positive coping strategies.
Topic 4 - Problem-Solving
Students learn a range of problem-solving techniques to apply when confronting personal, social and ethical dilemmas. They engage in scenario-based learning tasks to practice their problem-solving skills in relevant situations.
Topic 5 - Stress Management
Students consider the causes of stress and develop a range of self-regulation and coping strategies they can draw on to manage stressful situations.
Topic 6 - Help-Seeking
Students develop skills and knowledge for peer support, peer referral and help-seeking.
Topic 7 - Gender Norms and Stereotypes
Students consider the influence of gender norms on attitudes, opportunities and behaviour. they learn about gender equality, inclusion, human rights and the importance of relationships that respect people of all genders.
Topic 8 - Positive Gender Relationships
Students develop an understanding that types of violence are harmful, and that these forms of violence can also be gendered. They learn about safe and unsafe
behaviours, consent and their rights to bodily autonomy. They practice
strategies they can use to assert their rights. They develop self-care, peer support, peer referral and help-seeking skills that they can use in response to situations involving
gender-based violence within family, peer, school, community or online
relationships.
Thoughts from Staff and Students
“I really love Respectful relationships in Year 6, because we are really discussing the issues. We are getting more knowledge and talking about the big and hard things. I’m really engaged in it.” – Nina
“I love it! It’s great to do activities and role plays. It’s a really fun way to learn our strategies to help resolve problems” -Piper
“It helps us be the best versions of ourselves that we can be. It has helped us with our positive self-talk and learn that all of us have our own strengths” – Harriet
“I love the rich discussions that are generated from the respectful relationships lessons. It’s nice to hear what the students have to share as they all have valuable and mature thoughts.” -Miss Ballas