At Topirum Primary School we are part of a government initiative called ‘Respectful Relationships’ in which we teach our students ways to create and maintain positive healthy relationships. Our staff model positive relationships as part of a whole school approach as well as challenge gender stereotyping and the negative impact they can have on our students. Strengthening students’ ability to form positive relationships leads to positive impacts on student’s academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships within the school community.

Everyone in our community deserves to be respected, valued and treated equally. We know that changes in attitudes and behaviours can be achieved when positive attitudes, behaviours and equality are embedded in our education settings.

Respectful Relationships is about embedding a culture of respect and equality across our entire community, from our classrooms to staffrooms, sporting fields, fetes and social events. This approach leads to positive impacts on student’s academic outcomes, their mental health, classroom behaviour, and relationships between teachers and students.