East Doncaster Secondary College Newsletter

Respectful Relationships News

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 entire community, from our classrooms to staffrooms, sporting fields, fetes and social events. This approach leads to positive impacts on student’s 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, and creating genuine and lasting change so that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.​

The EDSC Respectful Relationships Pledge:

"All members of our school community have a responsibility to stand up against family violence and the misuse of gender power and control. We foster relationships that are respectful, caring and fair."

 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence the following services are available

 

More resources/agencies can be found on our Wellbeing, Engagement and Positive Futures page of the East Doncaster Secondary College website

 

https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/wellbeing-engagement-positive-futures

Bystander Action

At EDSC one of our core values is Respect. A way that staff and students can demonstrate this value is to call out inappropriate behaviour towards members of our school community. One way to do this is to be an active bystander. 

 

What is a bystander?

 

 A ‘bystander’ is anyone not directly involved as a victim or perpetrator, who observes an act of violence, discrimination or other unacceptable or offensive behaviour. 

 

‘Bystander action’ refers to the action taken by a bystander to identify, speak out about or seek to engage others in responding to specific incidents of sexism, discrimination or violence. 

If bystanders are confident to take safe and effective action there is a greater possibility that the inappropriate behaviour will stop

A bystander can respond effectively in four different ways:

 

Direct

When we think of the options we have a bystander, most people think of something direct.

 

A direct intervention is exactly as it says; a bystander confronts a situation him or herself. For example, you may witness a situation developing with a friend and another person that looks like it may escalate so you step in and pull your friend out of the situation and walk him/her away. When safe, being direct is the most immediate way to intervene in a situation.

Indirect

If you can’t intervene directly in something because there is a barrier that makes you uncomfortable, then enlist some help. Ask friends to assist you or talk to a staff member or parent. Maybe it means you need to call the police. Being a bystander does not mean you have to do it alone.

Distract

Perhaps you don’t want to address a situation directly then you can try to cause a distraction that will diffuse the situation and give a moment for things to calm down. Maybe you “accidentally” spill your drink or ask to borrow a mobile phone from the person who is in the threatening situation. Sometimes that one break in a situation is all it takes to help someone out.

Protocols

This might be where you feel a little uncomfortable in how to respond but you refer to the ‘rules’ or guidelines of your where you are. For e.g. If you do that you, will get in trouble with the coordinators and you will get a detention.

 

Think about what you can do to be an active bystander and encourage respectful treatment of all members of our community.

Doncare Events

Doncare is providing a 6-week creative art therapy group for women recovering from family violence.

Re:SPECT - A Space to Pause, Express, Connect & Thrive

Utilises the visual arts, journaling and mindfulness to empower women to find their way out of the chaos, the frightening memories, and the raw emotion of their experience of abuse. Sessions commence in May. Participation is free and bookings are essential.

Doncare provides

 

Re:SPECT - A Space to Pause, Express, Connect & Thrive in partnership with Anglicare Victoria

 

Please go to the Doncare website or their Facebook page for more information and to book your place. 

Empowered Women, Empowering Women 2021 - Charity Luncheon - Friday 4 June 12pm – 3pm

Across the global stage, women's empowerment continues to be a common theme uniting communities and Jane Caro AM is a woman known for saying what's on her mind.

 

The author, novelist, broadcaster, columnist and social commentator is a weekly regular on Channel Seven's 'Weekend Sunrise' and 'Mornings' on Channel Nine. Jane appears frequently on the ABC's 'Q&A' and 'The Drum', Network Ten's 'The Project' and Channel Nine's 'Sunrise'. She is also a regular panelist on the ABC's top-rating show The Gruen Transfer and a regular columnist for MamaMia, The Conversation, MT magazine, the SMH and The Drum.

 

Enjoy a 3-course meal and wine at the stunning Bramleigh Estate and hear from one of Australia's most influential social commentators.

 

#ewew2021 is set to emulate the success of the inaugural charity luncheon which boasted a stellar line-up. In fact, we've invited Jo Stanley back this year to host the event because we know how much you loved her! 2015 Australian of the Year, Dr Rosie Batty AO has even promised to join us again for what promises to be another fabulous afternoon.

Get ready to get empowered!

All guests receive:

  • General entry
  • a 3 course banquet meal
  • unlimited drinks (including beer, wine and soft drinks)
  • live entertainment including key note speakers

All funds raised support Doncare

Doncare is a not-for-profit community services organisation that has operated in the Manningham community since 1969. Doncare provides counselling for families and children in crisis; prevention, support and recovery following family violence; specialist intake and risk assessment; integrated family services; case management; emergency relief; social support for seniors and financial and material aid.

Tickets can be purchased here:

https://ewew2021.eventbrite.com.au

RRRR YA HOLIDAY READ

A bisexual girl who gives anonymous love advice to her school friends is hired by the hot new kid to help him get his ex back. Leah on the Offbeat meets To All the Boys I've Loved Before - the new queer YA rom-com from Sophie Gonzales.

Her advice, spot on. Her love life, way off.

Darcy Phillips: Can give you the solution to any of your relationship woes - for a fee.

Uses her power for good. Most of the time.Really cannot stand the new Australian jock at school, Alexander Brougham.

 

Has maybe not the best judgement when it comes to her best friend, Brooke...who is in love with someone else.

Does not appreciate being blackmailed.

 

But when Brougham catches Darcy in the act of collecting letters from locker 89 - out of which she's been running her questionably legal, anonymous relationship advice service - that's exactly what happens. In exchange for keeping her secret, Darcy begrudgingly agrees to become his personal dating coach. The goal? To help him win his ex-girlfriend back.

 

Darcy has good reason to keep her identity secret. If word gets out that she's behind the locker, some things she's not proud of will come to light, and there's a good chance Brooke will never speak to her again.

 

Okay, so all she has to do is help an entitled, bratty, (annoyingly hot) guy win over a girl who's already fallen for him once? What could 

possibly go wrong?

Rebecca James

Respect Relationships Coordinator