Principal's Report
Ms Jennifer Roep
Dear Families, Students and Community Members,
Over the previous few weeks there has been media reports focusing on the issues of consent, sexual assault and gender inequality. These are critically important issues and our school, in partnership with parents/carers, has an important role to play in addressing this significant social issue.
We stand against gendered violence. The testimonies provided by current and former school students across the country reinforce the need to support students to build and manage safe and respectful relationships.
We are a Respectful Relationships Lead School and use a whole school approach that supports our school to embed a culture of respect and gender equality across our entire school community.
We also teach respectful relationships education as part of the Victorian Curriculum, which focuses on building students’ social and emotional skills by supporting them to recognise and regulate emotions, develop empathy for others and build and manage safe and respectful relationships (including understanding consent). Our school also provides sexuality education as part of the Health and Physical Education curriculum.
At Maffra Secondary College, we take sexual assault allegations very seriously. We respond to any disclosures in an appropriate and supportive manner. Any allegations are acted upon quickly by following our procedures for responding to allegations of abuse and assault. We report allegations of sexual assault to Victoria Police, and Child Protection and the Department of Education and Training as required.
We will provide support to any students who are victim-survivors of sexual assault. Students can receive support from our Wellbeing team, including our School Psychologist Megan Kenny and Headspace practitioners now located in Sale.
If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to discuss something that has happened, please contact our Wellbeing Coordinator Mrs. Emily Boyle or our School Psychologist, Ms. Megan Kenny on 5147 1790
As a parent or carer, if you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault and needs support, please contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.
You can also access help through:
Students can access help through:
