As a school, we have used the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships learning materials in all facets of our curriculum, to help support a culture of respect and equality. Following, is a brief description of how each year level is covering essential Social and Emotional Learning topics. Please note that each year level addresses similar learning topics in developmentally appropriate ways.

In Prep, children have explored solving small social conflicts independently, inclusive play, identifying emotions and calming strategies when they are upset.

Our Grade One children have focussed on positive coping strategies that they can apply in various situations. Understanding that everyone has different fears, responses and coping strategies has been explored. As well as cheering up, calming down strategies, and managing anger in positive ways.

In Year Two, the students have covered the topics of Stress Management and Seeking Help. Students were assisted to recognise their personal signs of stress and develop effective strategies that will help them to cope with challenges in the future. They were encouraged to develop help-seeking behaviours to improve mental health and wellbeing. This term, they have completed a topic on Gender and Identity. Through these modules, students have revised their use of self-care and help-seeking strategies to empower them to assert their rights. Children have also identified and practised respectful and gender friendly behaviours.

The Year Three students have explored Emotional Literacy in the Respectful Relationships program. Children have had an opportunity to describe the influence that people, situations, and events have on their emotions. They have focussed on identifying how to interact positively with others and strengthen personal identities. Students have also identified skills they wish to develop and described the factors that contribute to positive relationships. Children have investigated how to manage and moderate emotions and learn self - calming techniques. Conflict resolution strategies have been explored to negotiate positive outcomes to problems.

The Year Four students have focussed on stress management and help seeking. The students worked toward developing a shared definition of stress and added to a checklist of coping strategies for self- calming. They explored the notion of trust and nominated appropriate sources of help from both a group and an individual basis.

In Semester Two they have explored gender and identity in depth and will finish the year looking at positive gender relations. The students have investigated the influence of the media and literature in relation to gendered messages. They have been encouraged to recognise and challenge the potential limitations of traditional gender expectations. Students have identified and discussed different forms of gender-based violence and focus on the premise that all forms are unfair and unacceptable. They have used role play to practise strategies that they can use if they need help or are asked to help.

In Grade Five and Six, students have looked at emotional literacy, problem solving and personal strengths. They have also had a focus on gender stereotypes, gender-based violence and identity throughout our health units.

Please see the following link for more information;

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/capabilities/personal/Pages/respectfulrel.aspx

Following is our Malvern Primary School Commitment Statement. It outlines the rationale behind the Respectful Relationships program, as well as our priorities and goals.

Malvern Primary School Commitment Statement

Background

The Royal Commission into Family Violence identified the critical role that schools, and early childhood education have in creating a culture of respect to change the story of family violence for future generations.

Respectful Relationships education is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from Foundation to Year 12.

Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are embedded in our education settings.

Respectful Relationships is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across our community. This approach leads to positive impacts on students’ academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships between teachers and students.

Together, we can lead the way in saying yes to respect and equality, creating genuine and lasting change so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Malvern Primary School is committed to implementing the Respectful Relationships initiative to promote and model respect and equality and to teach our students how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

We are committed to:

A whole school approach to school-based, primary prevention of gender-based violence
Ongoing development of our school culture and environment embedding a culture of respect and equality
Professional learning to support school leaders, teachers and other school-based staff
Delivering social and emotional learning and respectful relationships education consistent with the Victorian Curriculum
Providing support and resources for staff and students
Building relationships with the community, including prevention and response services, community groups and families

Our school will:

Through a cycle of continuous improvement, undertake an assessment and planning process to identify gaps and/or limitations in existing culture, policies, structures and practices including staff and student feedback on respect and gender equality in our school.
Identify and use Respectful Relationships funding and other appropriate resources to implement key actions to promote respectful relationships and gender equality in an effort to prevent gender-based violence.
Monitor and evaluate our progress in implementation of the whole school approach to the Respectful Relationships initiative.

Later this term we look forward to welcoming some parents onto the Respectful Relationships Committee. Please send an email expressing your interest to malvern.ps@education.vic.gov.au

If you have any further queries relating to our Respectful Relationships program, please email Brooke.Stirling@education.vic.gov.au

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