Wellbeing

Respectful Relationships Term 2 Update

Background 

The Statewide Respectful Relationships & Gender Equity initiative is currently embedded in schools throughout Victoria with the aim to reduce Australia’s Family Violence problem. 

The Victorian Government recognises that the family violence statistics are unacceptable and has committed to creating deep cultural change through community awareness, education, and targeted programs. 

The Role of Education:

The Royal Commission identified schools as being perfectly positioned to play a critical role in changing negative attitudes toward girls and women - attitudes that are believed to contribute to violence.  It is recommended that schools work harder to teach Respectful Relationships to all students and promote gender equity in all aspects of their school communities.  It is hoped that through such education our young Australians will drive deep cultural change throughout our society as they mature into adults.

Using the Respectful Relationships teaching and learning materials provided by the Victorian Government, children will learn problem-solving skills, to develop empathy, support their own wellbeing and build healthy relationships with others. These age-appropriate and evidence-based materials are designed to enable teachers to develop student’s social and emotional capabilities to promote positive, healthy and respectful relationships. 

Rochester Primary School is committed to creating a school community where girls and boys, men and women, are respected as true equals (by themselves and by others) and ALL community members are protected from any form of discrimination.

The Unit covered across the school in Term 2 has been -   Personal Strengths. In our Personal Strengths unit, students have been supported to recognise and understand strengths and positive qualities in themselves and others. 

Ready to Learn Plans- 

In every classroom you will see that students have created their own Ready to Learn Plans. On these, students have outlined signs to look for if they are escalating and “not quite ready to learn.” They also have their own self chosen Self-Regulation (calming) strategies to remind them to use if they are beginning to become anxious, upset or mad. Ask your child about their strategies, so that you may be able to encourage them to use them when needed at home too. 

Self-Regulation Fact Sheet- Be You

Breakfast Club

Will continue to run in the BER every MONDAY and THURSDAY morning from 8.30 am to 8.50 am.  All welcome.