Join over 1950 Victorian government, Catholic and independent schools that are signed on to the whole school approach to Respectful Relationships to create a culture of equality and respect and change the story of family violence for future generations.
A dedicated workforce is in place to support schools and their communities to implement a whole school approach to Respectful Relationships and strengthen referrals and responses to family violence.
Apply now to become a lead or partner school
Expressions of interest are now open for Catholic and independent schools to become a Respectful Relationships lead or partner school. Applications close on 29 November 2024.
To apply, complete the online application form:
- Lead school online application form(opens in a new window)
- Partner school online application form(opens in a new window)
A Word version of the application form is available if you wish to develop your application in collaboration with your colleagues and then copy and paste the final text into the online form.
- Lead School application form (DOCX, 147KB)(opens in a new window)
- Partner School application form (DOCX, 142KB)(opens in a new window)
Successful schools will commence implementation of the whole-school approach in 2025.
Eligibility
All Victorian Catholic and independent primary, secondary and specialist schools are invited to apply for a lead or partner school role. Schools are selected based on their demonstrated commitment, readiness and capacity to implement a whole-school approach.
Current Catholic and independent partner schools may apply to become a lead school.
Lead schools
The role of lead schools is to lead the way on implementing the whole-school approach to Respectful Relationships, this includes modelling good practice, leading and mentoring partner schools.
Under the initiative, lead schools will receive:
- funding for 2 years
- support to implement a whole school approach within their own school
- support for mentoring partner schools.
Lead schools will support a cluster of partner schools by providing best-practice advice on implementation strategies and modelling respect and equality.
Partner schools
Partner schools are mentored and supported by lead schools to implement a whole-school approach to Respectful Relationships. Clusters of partner schools will work with one lead school.
Under the initiative, partner schools will receive:
- funding in the initial year
- support to implement a whole-school approach to Respectful Relationships.
Funding process and rates
Funding for this initiative has moved to Student Resource Package – Targeted Initiatives (Reference 86)(opens in a new window).
The Respectful Relationships workforce
A dedicated Respectful Relationships workforce is in place to support lead and partner schools with implementation, including:
- Respectful Relationships project leads in each of the state’s 17 local areas to support lead schools to fulfil their roles and helping to build the capacity of all participating schools to implement the initiative
- Respectful Relationships liaison officers in each of the state’s 17 local areas to support schools to respond to family violence, providing advice about evidence based approaches and interventions, liaising with specialist services and embedding effective response and referral processes
- A Respectful Relationships unit in the Department’s central office manage the state-wide supports and tools available to for Victorian schools to successfully implement Respectful Relationships.
Professional learning opportunities for school staff
A range of professional learning opportunities, delivered at the local area level and tailored for school staff and school leaders supports them to: implement a whole school approach, respond to disclosures of family violence and deliver Respectful Relationships as part of the curriculum.
Teaching materials
A resource kit for schools provides schools with the strategies and tools to implement a whole school approach to Respectful Relationships. For more information, see: Teach Respectful Relationships(opens in a new window).
For enquires please email: respectful.relationships@education.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)
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