AS part of the State Government\u2019s roll out of the Respectful Relationships program, non-government schools are being invited to express interest in including the instruction their curriculum.<\/p>\n
The program aims to support schools embed respect and gender equality in the classroom, playground, staffroom, and in the broader community.<\/p>\n
While a range of Ballarat\u2019s own religious and independent schools have signed up, Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison said the new push will hopefully enable more institutions to get involved.<\/p>\n
\u201cFunding is available for any non-government school that is interested in expressing interest and I encourage them to do so,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe program commences at the foundation or prep level and goes all the way through to year 10 and is a part of the health and PE program at schools, so very much looking at student wellbeing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot about people understanding their emotions, particularly at a younger age, right up to our year 10 classes that talk about sexual relationships and the important issue of consent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Implementing one of the key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence, all government schools and 309 non-government schools across the state currently utilise the program to promote respect and anti-violent behaviours.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the issue of respect is at the centre of relationships,\u201d Ms Addison said. \u201cIn Victoria we have significant issues of family violence so it\u2019s about talking to children from a young age.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition, the Minister for Education and Acting Premier James Merlino also recently announced that the teaching of consent will be mandatory in all government schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are leading the nation through our Respectful Relationships program that goes directly to the issue of consent,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are no excuses for any school not rolling out a program like this. It is proven to make a real difference and is a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS part of the State Government\u2019s roll out of the Respectful Relationships program, non-government schools are being invited to express interest in including the instruction their curriculum. The program aims to support schools embed respect and gender equality in the classroom, playground, staffroom, and in the broader community. While a range of Ballarat\u2019s own religious […]<\/p>\n