Respectful Relationship News
The Respectful Relationships program has commenced this term, providing students with valuable opportunities to explore how emotions influence behaviour, learning, and relationships. Throughout the program, students are developing an understanding of the connection between feelings and actions, while also learning practical and age-appropriate strategies to express their emotions in constructive and respectful ways.
For our Foundation students, these concepts are new and form an important part of their social and emotional development. They are focusing on identifying different emotions and recognising how feelings can be communicated through facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. Building this foundational awareness supports students in naming their emotions and understanding how others may be feeling.
Students in Years 1 to 6 are extending this learning by revisiting and strengthening their knowledge of strategies to manage strong emotions. They are exploring the various factors that influence how people interact with one another, including perspective, experiences, and context. Developing a strong understanding of their emotional responses in both positive and challenging situations enables students to draw upon their “strategy toolkit” and make thoughtful choices when managing big emotions.
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home by asking your child to reflect on how they felt throughout the day, why they may have felt that way, and which strategies they could use to manage their emotions effectively. Regular reflection supports students to build emotional vocabulary, resilience, and confidence in navigating social situations.
Some of the strategies introduced through the Respectful Relationships curriculum include:
- Counting slowly to 10 before responding
- Moving to a quiet space to regain calm
- Practising slow, deep breathing
- Pressing hands together to release tension
- Acknowledging personal achievements and celebrating successes
The Respectful Relationships program is an essential component of our school’s wellbeing approach. It supports students to develop self-awareness, emotional regulation skills, empathy, and the ability to build and maintain positive relationships. These skills are fundamental to their success both within the classroom and beyond.
