Principal's News

The decision by the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allen, to choose Ballarat High School to launch a community project to combat gendered violence and violence in the home reminded us again of the importance of our school and the role it plays at the heart of our community. The initiative aims to tap into existing support structures to "saturate anti-violence awareness and action" in Ballarat. The Premier’s choice of Ballarat for the launch of what will be a state-wide initiative speaks volumes of how tightly connected we are within our wider community: this matters now more than ever. 

The words of the visiting politicians resonated strongly with the students who took part in a roundtable discussion to explain the impact of our Respect Relationships program. They spoke powerfully regarding what they had learned and what more we can do to equip our students with the knowledge and strategies needed to navigate relationships and to protect themselves and those around them. Our Diversity Captain, Tunmise Ilesanmi, spoke for her peers when she said, "We want to live in a safe environment and we need as many people to talk about this situation as possible." Our students deserve that, more than anything.

At Ballarat High School, our students’ voices should be amplified and not silenced and we need to hear and discuss their stories to help them better understand what loving, caring and healthy relationships look and feel like so that they always feel safe, secure and valued. 

Safety should be a given for all of our students, but we know that this is not the case. Gendered and family violence is a reality for all too many of our community. The statistics are truly concerning: 2 in 5 women (39%) have experienced violence since the age of 15; 1 in 3 women (31%) has experienced physical violence since the age of 15; 1 in 5 women (22%) has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15; and 1 in 2 women (53%) has experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime. Most frightening of all, on average, one woman is killed every 9 days across Australia by a current or former partner. Within these statistics are so many heartbreaking stories that affect the people in our lives. We cannot allow these stories to be lost in the numbers. Whilst this is an area that is challenging to discuss, we must heed Tunmise’s call for dialogue. We need to provide support and safety, understanding and solidarity to survivors of gendered violence and those currently living through it. If our role is to educate, then what is more important than education that works towards breaking this cycle of hurt and abuse? 

As our students spoke to the Premier about their experiences and their learning within our Respectful Relationships program, they advocated for more discussion, more learning with greater frequency, especially for younger year students who are deeply affected by the rapidly changing world of online content and communication. They spoke of their concern that the online world can feed into the toxicity that lies at the heart of gendered violence. They spoke about the importance of learning about consent, about the red flags that warn us about abusive relationships and about what healthy relationships look like. At Ballarat High School, we are committed to empowering students to recognise these dangers so that they have the tools to protect themselves emotionally and physically.

The statistics speak of challenges that lie ahead, yet we must draw strength from our students when they tell us that our work in this space makes a difference. As the brother of a sister who just about survived domestic violence, I wonder how her life might have been different if our school had promoted education in this area so that she was able to recognise those early signs that led to the psychological, emotional and physical abuse that she experienced within that relationship.

Whilst schools have a part to play in supporting our students, real change comes from our students themselves.  Along with Karen Snibson, Principal of Phoenix P-12 Community College, I have connected with school leaders from all state, faith and fee-paying schools across Ballarat to facilitate a student forum against gendered violence. It is our collective aim to provide a voice and platform for our young people to raise awareness, educate and stand alongside victims and survivors of gendered violence. Student representatives from every school will take part in a forum that aims to raise awareness and foster dialogue on gendered violence. Students will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions about how to combat gendered violence and join together to be part of the change. There is strength in unity and community and we are committed to growing the voice of BHS students so that they can lead change and make a difference. 

If you are impacted by gendered violence, or know someone is, please reach out to either the School or the numbers below:

000 IN AN EMERGENCY

THE ORANGE DOOR       1800 219 819    cha@orangedoor.vic.gov.au

1800RESPECT –                1800 737732

SAFE STEPS -                     1800 015 188

LIFE LINE                             13 11 14             lifeline.org.au

13 YARN                               13 92 76             

YOUTH:

KIDS HELPLINE                 1800 551 800     kidshelpline.com

HEADSPACE                       1800 650 890    headspace.org.au

Stephan Fields

Principal