ENPS News

Racism is not tolerated in Essendon North Primary School

At Essendon North Primary School we value the diversity of culture, ethnicity, and faith of all our students. We are proud of our diversity, and everyone is welcome at our school.

 

Celebrating the diversity of our community makes us stronger, kinder and more innovative. We are committed to making sure that students from all backgrounds feel accepted, supported and able to learn.

 

We teach all students according to our school values (safe, kind and respectful) and teach the respectful relationships framework. This includes education around diversity and inclusion.

 

To achieve our values and aims, everyone at Essendon North Primary School plays an important role. 

 

Our school values are consistently reinforced across all areas of the school, and when students demonstrate safe, kind, and respectful behaviours, they are acknowledged and recognised for their positive actions.

 

To help us make Essendon North Primary School a place where everyone feels welcome, respected and supported, we encourage you to also speak to your child about these values, as well as the importance of:

  • understanding that we celebrate diversity and multicultural inclusion

  • understanding the importance of everyone at school being treated with respect.

For more information, please see Racism: talking with children and teens, Raising Children Network.

 

We expect families to also display our school values when dealing with other members of our school community.

 

The following information regarding racism has also been added to our school’s website:

 

Racism is not tolerated in Essendon North Primary School

Essendon North Primary School is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where racism is not tolerated. Racism harms students’ mental health, learning and sense of belonging. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths of all our students. It is up to all of us at Essendon North Primary School to make our school a place that is free of racism and where everyone feels respected and can learn in a safe and inclusive environment.

 

What Essendon North Primary School is doing to prevent racism

Essendon North Primary School follows the Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy. We are building a culturally safe school with inclusive learning for everyone by working with staff, students, families, carers and communities. We will:

  • provide programs that teach about and celebrate diversity, inclusion and the impact of racism to build understanding and empathy

  • actively nurture and promote a culture where everyone is treated with respect and dignity

  • use practices that support all students to thrive

  • implement anti-racism efforts to prevent and address racism effectively

  • challenge stereotypes that promote prejudicial and biased behaviours and practices

  • provide a consistent model of education through our Primary Years Programme, valuing engagement and student voice

  • make sure everyone feels safe, with clear and accessible pathways to report racism

What to do if your child experiences or witnesses racism at school

If your child experiences or witnesses racism or religious discrimination at school, please let us know. You can tell your child’s teacher or any member of our Executive or Wellbeing Teams either in person, via the school office, via email essendon.north.ps@education.vic.gov.au or phone 9379 3979. 

 

Report Racism hotline

If you don’t feel comfortable reporting racism to school, or you are not happy with the school’s response, you can report racism to:

For additional support following an incident of racism:

For more information about how to report racism to the school, and to get information in community languages, visit this website: Report racism or religious discrimination in schools.

 

If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school.

 

How Essendon North Primary School will respond to racism

When you report a racist incident, Essendon North Primary School will:

  • take your report seriously and act quickly
  • give you ongoing support
  • investigate and respond safely and appropriately 
  • keep you informed, while respecting privacy
  • review the incident to help avoid it from happening again.

Kind regards,

 

Kate Barletta

Principal