Great Scot September 2018 Gt Scot_154_September_online | Page 39

‘IT LET US
STAND IN
THE SHOES
OF OUR MLC
FRIENDS’
Year 10 Scotch and MLC Students got
together to discuss positive relationships
In the first week of Term 2 this year, Year 10 Scotch boys and
MLC girls, comprising some 550 students, were brought together
across the two school campuses to discuss positive social and sexual
relationships, as part of the inaugural Respectful Relationships Program.
This program is designed to support young people as they navigate
their responsibilities around consent and conflict resolution, in order to
maintain positive relationships with others and respect for themselves.
Sixty-four students from both schools elected to be group leaders,
and volunteered their time outside of school to be trained, as well as
providing their input on the resources provided. Student leaders
opened the day with their peers on topics such as gender differences
and stereotyping. These sessions emphasised the importance of
student voice, and were extremely well received. Students had a
chance to communicate openly with the opposite sex and their
peers, and it provided an opportunity for social relationships and
understanding to grow.
‘It opened up the topic of “relationships” and gender, which are
often stereotyped, and let us stand in the shoes of our MLC friends,’
said Student Leader, Hugh Hosking.
The peer-led group sessions were interspersed with presentations
from guest speakers. Michelle Mitchell, an author and founder of the
charity Youth Excel, known for her breakfast television appearances,
spoke about consent, perspective taking and the law. Her interactive
presentation allowed our students to live poll their opinions and
generated much enthusiastic and informative discussion.
In addition, a panel of Old Scotch Boys and old MLC girls described
their experiences regarding gender stereotyping and biases apparent
in the workplace today. They shared their experiences of conflict in
relationships at school, university and work, and suggested how
young people might proactively deal with this.
ABOVE: YEAR 10 SCOTCH BOYS AND MLC GIRLS ENGAGED IN POSITIVE DISCUSSIONS
ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.
As educators, we know that these opportunities will challenge
students’ thinking and their preconceptions, and enable them to
enlighten future generations about gender equality and the rights of
others. It is hoped that they will incorporate these skills and gender
perspective insights as our students embark on their journey into
adulthood, where they will no doubt encounter a variety of relationships.
‘The ideas that the students came up with, while sometimes funny,
still had serious meaning behind them, and I found many groups
beginning to chat about scenarios as the conversation flowed,’ said
Student Leader, Jack Manning. ‘Even during the last session of the
day, groups were still coming up with good ideas. In the help-seeking
brainstorm I found that many of the smaller groups were coming up with
everything, and even things that you wouldn’t automatically think of.’
The constructive feedback students proffered and the discussions
that have ensued with peers, around the dinner table with family, and
the wider Scotch and MLC communities have had a powerful impact.
We look forward to next year’s program and our ongoing respectful
relationship with MLC.
EMMA GATES — SCOTCH COLLEGE TEACHER
www.scotch.vic.edu.au Great Scot
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