ARCO News

Racism - No Way!

What is Racism? Definitions vary and racism takes many forms. It includes prejudice, discrimination or hatred directed at someone because of their colour, ethnicity or natural origin.

Racism can include a joke that causes offence, even if it is unintentional. Racism can be name calling, verbal abuse, hassling or excluding others because of their race.

Racism is never OK.

At Ben Venue, students should tell a teacher if they experience any racism. Students who are witnesses to racism should also speak with a teacher, even if the words or actions were not directed at them.

Let’s do our best to stop any racism at school! For more information visit https://racismnoway.com.au/

Anti-Racism

The Department of Education and Ben Venue Public School rejects all forms of racism. No student, employee, parent, caregiver, or community member should experience racism within the school environment.

The Anti-Racism Policy promotes respect and harmony in the school environment. It aims to ensure that educational opportunities are fair for all students regardless of their culture, language, or religious background. The policy requires all schools to have a trained Anti-Racism Contact Officer. The ARCO is trained to provide advice to parents and carers, and teachers and students about the procedure for resolving complaints about racism. If requested, the ARCO can also act as a support person or advocate during the complaints resolution process.

ARCOs help to resolve incidents of racism between students and lead anti-racism education in our school. ARCOs:

• provide advice to students and staff on how to respond when they see or hear incidents of racism;
• manage or support the management of incidents of racism between students.
• maintain records of incidents of racism and how they are resolved;
• provide advice on strategies the school can implement to address racism;
• provide support to build staff understanding of the impact of racism on student learning and wellbeing.

Who are our school Anti Racism Contact Officers?

Kellie Divall and Nicole Frost are our school ARCOs.

Students can find us at school when needed. If parents need to contact us, please phone or email the front office.

Kellie Divall and Nicole Frost