SELF

Building Respectful Relationships in SELF

As part of our SELF program, all students in Years 7-12 participate in the Victorian Respectful Relationships curriculum. Throughout Semester 2, they will continue building on the wellbeing foundations established through The Resilience Project while also engaging with additional learning that strengthens their understanding of respectful relationships, equality and inclusion.

Throughout the year, students engage in Topics 1–6 of the Respectful Relationships curriculum, which is embedded in The Resilience Project program. This provides important foundations for wellbeing, including developing emotional literacy, empathy, gratitude, mindfulness, resilience and positive relationships. This learning continues throughout the year as students revisit and build upon these important skills. 

Throughout Semester 2, students will also engage with Topics 7 and 8 of the Respectful Relationships curriculum through school-developed units of learning. These topics focus on gender, identity, respect and preventing gender-based violence and have been designed to respond to the needs of our students and reflect the values of our school community.

These age-appropriate lessons provide opportunities for students to explore ideas around equality, respectful relationships, stereotypes, social expectations and the impact that attitudes and behaviours can have on others. Students will be supported to recognise respectful and disrespectful behaviours, consider the role they can play in creating positive change and develop the confidence to contribute to a culture where everyone feels safe, valued and included.

Building respectful relationships is a shared responsibility between schools and families. We encourage parents and carers to continue these conversations at home by talking with their children about respect, empathy, inclusion and healthy relationships.

If you have any questions about what your child is learning in SELF, or would like support in continuing these conversations at home, please don't hesitate to contact the College. We value working in partnership with families to help every young person thrive.

Vaping Prevention Education Program – Year 7 & 8

As part of our commitment to student health and wellbeing, Year 7 and 8 students will participate in the OurFutures Vaping Prevention Program in early Term 3 during SELF classes. This evidence-based program, developed by the OurFutures Institute in partnership with researchers from The Matilda Centre, helps students understand the risks associated with vaping and build the skills needed to make informed decisions.

Across five interactive lessons, students will explore:

• Facts about e-cigarettes, nicotine and health impacts

• Common misconceptions around vaping

• Strategies for managing peer pressure and social situations

• Media and marketing influences

Research involving more than 5,000 Australian students found participants were significantly less likely to vape one year later and demonstrated stronger knowledge and refusal skills. Parents and carers are encouraged to continue conversations at home. Helpful resources are available from the Federal Department of Health, VicHealth and Quit Australia. The program is fully funded by the Australian Government and available to all Year 7 and 8 students. For more information, visit ourfuturesinstitute.org.au. The Vic Health website also has useful resources for talking to your teen about vaping; see this link: Vaping conversation guide for parents

Supporting Sustainability and Practising Mindfulness

In the last week of Term 2, Year 11 students contributed to the Sustainability Club’s goal of planting 1,000 trees in the carbon sink – the expanse of space in the far south-west corner of the College. With support from SELF teachers and Mrs Sargeant, the students got their hands (and some clothes) dirty in aid of supporting the scrubbing of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere. Beyond its environmental impact, the activity provided an opportunity for students to slow down, practise mindfulness in nature, enjoy time with friends and take in the crisp, foggy winter morning. It also encouraged students to recognise and renew their sense of Respect for Country and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Wurundjeri People, whose longstanding care for Country reflects deep knowledge of sustainable land management. Overall, the tree-planting experience provided a break from the classroom while reinforcing that environmental sustainability, First Nations perspectives and personal wellbeing are deeply interconnected.