Respectful Relationships (RR) is a Victorian initiative to help young people deal with a range of challenges they may face in life. RR promotes equality and helps young people learn how to build healthy relationships. The initiative prepares students to face challenges by developing problem-solving skills and building resilience and confidence.
Family violence has a devastating impact on our community and affects people from all walks of life. The Royal Commission into Family Violence recommended Respectful Relationships be introduced to all schools to change attitudes and prevent the prevalence of family violence in future generations.
Respectful Relationships is underpinned by evidence that shows schools can play a key role in preventing family violence by helping students develop an understanding of healthy relationships and respect.
Djerriwarrh Community College is a Respectful Relationship partner school, trained to implement a whole school approach to Respectful Relationships by looking at our culture, practices and policies and driving meaningful change, building an enhanced culture of respect and equality as schools and as workplaces.
As part of our RR implementation, on Monday 6 June 2022 we launched an external noticeboard to foster communication with the community beyond school boundaries. The event was facilitated by student leaders of the Student Representative Council and all students took an active part in engaging with external guests, including greeting, food serving and through an interactive art activity.
The speakers included Peter Webster, CEO of Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation who gave the Acknowledgement of Country, Michelle Galea, DET Respectful Relationships Liaison Officer, Hai Nguyen, Senior Clinician Men’s Family Violence Services, Tegan Tregea, Aboriginal Practice Lead for The Orange Door Melton / Brimbank, Senior student R. Murray and RR Implementation Team members Amy Abdullah and Paula Reynolds.
The day was a successful first public event for our College and we are proud of the amazing work done by our students and appreciative of the support from all guest speakers.
The video of the launch can be accessed from the link below:
