Respect and Connect

Watch: See the program in action at Braybrook Secondary College.

Research and evidence on young people’s development highlights early to mid-adolescence as a time when young people form new ideas and beliefs about their identities and the world around them. They’re also increasingly susceptible to influences from peers and social media.

We recognise that schools and student groups can experience a range of issues related to gender equality, respectful relationships and behaviours, and mental health. We work in partnership with schools to identify your needs and challenges, so we can tailor our program to meet these wellbeing needs. 

We’re committed to delivering programs that make a positive impact and we continually evaluate and strengthen the evidence base of Respect and Connect.

Why choose us?

Focus

Students undertake interactive, skills-based activities that support them to: 

• build social and emotional learning which is a foundation for preventing family violence and enhancing mental wellbeing
• increase awareness of healthy relationships
• understand gender equality
• improve communication skills and self-awareness
• practice resolving conflict in a safe, supervised environment.

When young people have good social and emotional knowledge and skills, they are better resourced to have healthy relationships and good mental health, now and in the future.

Program topics

Session 1: Relate
Relationship health check

• How to identify red, orange and green flags
• Healthy, unhealthy and abusive relationships
• Your own needs and values
• Understanding boundaries
  
  

Session 2: Respect
Gender equality and stereotypes

• Gender stereotypes
• Equality and power
• How gender stereotypes can impact us

Session 3: Regulate
Emotional intelligence and mental wellbeing

• What are emotional intelligence skills?
• How can neuroscience help us learn to manage our emotions?
• What is mindfulness?
• Where can young people find support for their mental wellbeing?
  
  

Session 4: Reconnect
Communication and conflict resolution

• Skills and strategies for dealing with conflict
• Challenging online hate and creating a positive online world
• What to do when a relationship ends

Delivery

Respect and Connect is delivered:

• over 4 x 60-minute or 90-minute sessions
• to individual class groups of up to 25 students
• on site at schools
• by 2 skilled and experienced co-facilitators.

To support students’ learnings and the development of practical skills, the program provides:

• opportunities for interactive, experiential activities with handouts and multimodal exercises that can be adapted for different learning levels and abilities
• a safe, supportive, equitable and inclusive learning environment that actively demonstrates the aspects of healthy relationships
• opportunities for explorative discussion, and examples of positive role models
• an optional whole-of-school approach, including information sessions for parents and teachers on the program’s objectives and learning outcomes, to reinforce key messages.

Pricing

We’re currently offering a limited number of subsidised programs to schools across Melbourne.

Program outcomes

Our program is designed to increase awareness and skills development to support young people’s mental wellbeing and prevent family violence.

Evidence shows us that social and emotional skills such as those that underpin the Respect and Connect curriculum, are the foundation of healthy relationships and improved mental health and wellbeing, now and into the future.

The Respect and Connect program seeks to enhance students’ social and emotional learning. It provides a practice ground for practical tools and skills that will aid their abilities in fostering healthy relationships now and into their future. This helps to reduce the risk of students experiencing unhealthy relationships, mental health issues and family violence later in life.

We continually evaluate Respect and Connect and adapt the program in response to emerging evidence, and feedback from young people and their school communities. Data from students and teachers consistently demonstrates that there are positive improvements in program-related indicators after completing Respect and Connect, including:

• positive improvements in communication
• enhanced conflict resolution skills
• an increased understanding of emotions, empathy, and healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours.

Students have told us that the most important skills and knowledge gained during the program relate to:

• improved communication and conflict resolution skills
• an increased understanding of emotions, empathy and self-regulation
• increased knowledge about healthy and unhealthy relationships
• increased understanding of gender stereotypes, equality and power
• an understanding of how to get support.

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