Teaching respect
We all want our children to show respect to others. If we were to describe what this looks like it often looks like doing as they are told. However, how do we teach our young people this? The reality is before we can teach anyone anything we need to first connect with them. Young people learn nothing in isolation. They need someone to help them until they can do it on their own. How do we connect with our young people? We show them unconditional love and support. If we want young people to follow our rules we need to prioritise the relationship first, to build and maintain trust and respect.
Our relationship with our children must always come before and is more important than any rules we want them to follow. We need to show them again and again that we unconditionally love and support them. Telling them that we love them but not showing them is not enough. Young people learn about respect by receiving it from their parents and seeing how their parents respect others.
Most of the relationship building happens in times of calm. It’s at these times that we can show them that they matter and give them a voice with the aim of the connection remaining in times of pressure or conflict. It is during times of calm that we can explain the reasons behind our rules and expectations and ask them for their thoughts. This promotes shared understanding and respect.
As young people get older they should have more autonomy over their lives. Respecting them as individuals helps them learn to respect others, including us.
If you are concerned about your young person’s respect the first step is to connect and understand their perspective. Relationship always comes before rules. Connection before correction.
Dr Billy Garvey (2024) ‘Ten things I wish you knew about your child’s mental health.’ Penguin Random House Australia.
For further information please see the following link: Teaching kids respect
Krissy Veerhuis
Mental Health Practitioner
Cybersafety and Responsible Use of Digital Technologies
The following resources are available to parents and carers to assist them with guiding their children with the use of digital technology in a safe and responsible way. Parents and carers are their child’s first role model when it comes to online behaviour. Please find information to assist parents and carers when dealing with Cybersafety issues on the following websites:
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/parents/services-for-parents/Pages/parentline.aspx
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services
The following fact sheet may assist in encouraging the safe and respectful use of social media and to provide tips to parents for being a positive role model:
If parents/carers have any questions regarding Cybersafety or Digital Learnings in Schools and our Mobile Phone Policy, please contact Reception.
Cameron Campbell
Assistant Principal
Food & Financial Support
As we are all aware, the cost of living is increasing. We realise that this might be causing some distress to members of the EDSC community. If you are experiencing financial difficulties or food insecurity, please look at the website www.askizzy.org.au. This website can help you locate services for food, money, clothing, health and housing in your area.
The College is able to provide a range of food to families within the community. Foodbank Victoria provide EDSC fresh fruit, cereals, milk, different types of ready meals, fruit cups and Messy Monkey snacks. If you and your family are experiencing food insecurity, please contact the school to arrange a food collection. For a confidential conversation, please call Maddie Sill on 9842-2244.
Please also note that if your child forgets their lunch they can come to the Wellbeing Hub to access the pantry.
Child Safety Standards
East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision making.
East Doncaster Secondary College has zero tolerance for child abuse.
East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.
Every person involved in East Doncaster Secondary College has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.
In our planning, decision making and operations, all personnel at East Doncaster Secondary College will:
• Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
• Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
• Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children
• Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
• Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
• Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
• Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
• Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
• Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.
For more information about Wellbeing at the College, please visit the following link: Student Wellbeing Information
