ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS LEAD SCHOOLS

Monday, February 20, 2017

Harriet Shing, MP is pleased to announce that 10 Gippsland schools are part of the 126 schools leading the way in implementing the new Respectful Relationships program.

Stemming from recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, Respectful Relationships is designed to break the cycle of family violence by teaching our kids to treat everyone with respect and dignity so we can start the cultural change we need in our society.

The 126 leading schools, including will support other schools as they implement the program. The Andrews Labor Government is investing $21.8 million over two years to roll out this whole-of-school program to schools and early childhood services. A list of the leading schools is available here: www.education.vic.gov.au/respectfulrelationships

This initiative is a significant step toward meeting our Education State targets of reducing the impact of disadvantage on achievement and getting more students to stay in education.

The Labor Government is building the Education State so that every community has access to a great school and every Victorian student can get a great education.

The Gippsland schools involved in the Respectful Relationships Program include:

• Inverloch Primary School
• Wonthaggi Primary School
• Pakenham Lakeside Primary School
• Bairnsdale Primary School
• Orbost Primary School
• Toorloo Arm Primary School
• Bundalaguah Primary School
• Mirboo North Primary School
• Foster Primary School
• Sale College

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Harriet Shing:

“Respectful Relationships will help end the cycle of family violence by challenging the stereotypes that underpin it. The 126 leading schools will help us make Respectful Relationships the successful program we need this vital initiative to be.”

“All the evidence shows that education is the key to ending the vicious cycle of family violence, which is why teaching Respectful Relationships at school is so important.”

”This is about teaching our kids to treat everyone with respect and dignity so we can start the cultural change we need in our society to end the scourge of family violence.”