Heathmont Gazette

Respectful Relationships

Respectful Relationships

The data is in and we are doing well! Over the last couple of years, Heathmont College has continued to embed important practices that support the Respectful Relationships initiative. We have rolled out and continued several programs to support Respectful Relationships including Elephant Education, The Man Cave, Flourish Girl, eSafety, as well as content delivered by our own Wellbeing Team and College teachers. In 2024, we will continue to build on the progress we have achieved to support our community. To see the positive impact we are making, please look at the data in the below document.  

 

Student report_Heathmont College.pdf

 

What is Respectful Relationships?

Respectful Relationships is about tackling family violence through education. Respectful Relationships looks to address gendered based imbalance and bias by continually reviewing our own practices, environment, attitudes and behaviours. For example:

 

  • we review our texts so that authors and protagonists are equally represented. 
  • we audit our physical environment so that genders are equally represented.
  • we correct our own behaviours (eg. not to just ask boys for physical work or girls for cleaning)
  • we educate the staff & students
  • we receive feedback from the community and act accordingly
  • we source and deliver programs
A good education is about more than simply getting good marks. It is about becoming a member of society and succeeding in life – knowing how to build respectful relationships is key to achieving this. When young people build positive relationships with their teachers and peers they feel safer and happier at school, are more resilience and have positive social attitudes. Positive relationships increase a young person’s sense of social connectedness and belonging to school and family, and result in better health and academic outcomes. 

 

Further information about Respectful Relationships is available on the Department of Education and Training website: www.education.vic.gov.au/respectfulrelationships

 

Teachers will also be supported to deliver the initiative with age-appropriate teaching and learning materials. These evidence-based materials are designed to enable teachers to develop student’s social and emotional capabilities, build positive, healthy and respectful relationships, make responsible decisions and create positive gender relations. The initiative will also provide resources to best support young people who are affected by family violence.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

 

Shane Hunt

Priority Cohorts & Community Engagement