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Respectful Relationship News

What is Respectful Relationships?

Respectful Relationships education is a core component of the Victorian Curriculum from foundation to year 12. It is all about embedding a culture of respect and equality across the entire school community.

The Respectful Relationships program supports schools and early childhood settings to promote and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. It teaches our children how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence.

While many different strategies are needed to contribute to this population-wide approach, the Respectful Relationships initiative is a key example of successful primary prevention work to prevent gender-based violence in education settings.

Schools are unique as a setting in which primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery operate alongside and in connection with one another. To be effective, Respectful Relationships must take a whole-of-school approach that works with leadership, systems and practices to support positive school cultures, age-appropriate curriculum delivery, policy development and community engagement.

What is taught in the Secondary Years?

Respectful Relationships in the secondary years focuses on treating everyone with respect and dignity and teaches students about the relationship between gender and power.

The RRRR teaching and learning resources provide tailored materials for years 7 to 12, including age-appropriate lesson plans and activities that help students learn new skills and build empathy, confidence and resilience.

What are the benefits of students learning about Respectful Relationships?

We know that a good education is about more than simply getting good marks. It is about supporting children to become contributing members of our communities, with productive and healthy adult lives.

Evidence shows that respectful relationships education:

Diversity and RRRR Calendar dates

November and December

 

 

16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence 2026

“UNiTE to End Violence Against Women and Girls: Ensure justice, protect survivors, end impunity.”

Help build Victorian communities where women are safe and equal. It all starts with respect.

We all deserve to be safe, equal and respected. More than 1 in 3 women have experienced violence from men. Safety for women and children is not a given in any community – and neither is respect. It doesn’t have to be this way.

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign led annually by UN Women. It runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).

During the 16 Days of Activism, communities around the world join the call to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls.

In Victoria, the 16 Days of Activism is a key part of communities’ efforts to prevent gendered and family violence. It is embodied by a grassroots spirit, and the collaborative approach is rolled out uniquely across the state.

For more information visit https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/unite/theme

https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/campaigns/16-days-activism-against-gender-based-violence

Walk Against Family Violence 2026

On Friday 20 November, join thousands of Victorians for the 18th annual Walk Against Family Violence in the Melbourne CBD.

To find out the details of the walk go to

https://www.respectvictoria.vic.gov.au/campaigns/walk-against-family-violence-2026

Manningham Youth Services

Many youth events are on in November – please see the flyers for details.

RR Book of the Week (16 Days of Activism)

Kindness Makes us Strong – Sophie Beer

This bright book by the creator of Love Makes a Family celebrates acts of kindness big and small.

Kindness is a friendly hello. A roaring cheer. A quick boost. Kindness is what makes us strong! This joyful board book shows various children as they extend kindness in all kinds of situations: on the playground, at lunchtime, on a bike path, and on a neighbourhood street. This sweet preschool read-aloud shows the way kindness helps build friendship and community.

Rebecca James
Respectful Relationships Coordinator (Pronouns: she/her)

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 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 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.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 000 and ask for the police.

For non-urgent help, please contact:

More resources/agencies can be found on our Wellbeing, Student Resources page of the East Doncaster Secondary College website
https://www.eastdonsc.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/student-resources

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