The Respectful relationships education program (RREP) was developed by the Department of Education as part of the broad multi-departmental Queensland Government approach to ending domestic and family violence.
The RREP is a Prep to Year 12 primary prevention program focused on influencing behaviour change to prevent undesirable social consequences such as domestic and family violence. This is done through challenging attitudes about violence and gender construction known to lead to violence while also supporting students to develop pro-social behaviours that lead to equitable and respectful relationships. A strengths-based approach underpins the development of respectful relationships knowledge and skills.
Respectful relationships as part of Health and wellbeing education
Queensland state schools are required to provide health and wellbeing education, either as part of the delivery of the Australian Curriculum or as part of the school's pastoral care program.
The P-12 curriculum, assessment and reporting framework specifies the curriculum, assessment and reporting requirements for all Queensland state schools.
The Prep to Year 10 component of RREP is aligned to the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education and can be delivered through this learning area or as part of the school's pastoral care program. The Year 11 and 12 content is designed to be delivered through pastoral care programs.
Five hours of instruction have been developed for each year level. Specialised resources for schools and teachers include program guidelines, teaching overviews and resources for each year level.
All resources are practical and easy to use and encourage the use of social and emotional learning pedagogy including group work, discussion, role plays, scenario work and empathy-based inquiry. They provide opportunities for teachers to guide discussions, address concerns, and help students work through sensitive and complex issues. The teaching resources are available online to state schools via the Learning Place and for non-state schools via Scootle (the National Digital Learning Resources Network managed by Education Services Australia).
What will students learn?
By implementing the RREP, schools will give students opportunities for social and emotional learning in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, ethics, values, social norms, stereotypes, human rights, risk and responsible decision-making. A growing body of evidence shows that social and emotional learning of this nature leads to:
- improved social and emotional skills, self-concept, bonding to school and classroom behaviour
- less disruptive classroom behaviour, aggression, bullying and delinquent acts
- reduced emotional distress such as depression, stress or social withdrawal.
RREP for Prep to Year 2 is designed to develop students' capacity to understand and self-regulate their emotions in ways that account for their feelings and the feelings of others. They also develop skills to initiate social interactions.
The content explores the people who are important to these young students and develops their capacity to initiate and maintain respectful relationships in different contexts, including at school, at home and in the classroom. Students explore their own sense of self and the factors that contribute to and influence their identities. They learn about emotions and how to enhance their interactions with others as they grow older.
Resources for parents to reinforce learning at home are also available. To support your children as they learn about respectful relationships you may like to access and use the following resources:
In Years 3 to 6 the RREP broadens focus to include the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support students' wellbeing and that of their family and friends. Personal and social skills take on an increasing importance as they look to family, peers and the community for role models. Students develop communication skills, social skills and behaviour's required for respectful relationships. They also begin to explore personal and social factors that support and contribute to their identities and emotional responses in varying situations. Students explore knowledge, understanding and skills that help them build and maintain respectful relationships. They also develop skills to manage their emotions and examine how the nature of their relationships may change over time.
Resources for parents to reinforce learning at home are also available. To support your children as they learn about respectful relationships you may like to access and use the following resources:
In Years 7 to 10 students face more complex life decisions in a rapidly changing environment. They interact with their peers and technology, and require skills to manage online identities and interactions. They examine and address areas related to themselves, their families and communities. In the RREP students learn how to take positive action to enhance their own and others' health, safety and wellbeing. They examine the nature of their relationships and other factors that influence people's beliefs, attitudes, opportunities, decisions, behaviour's and actions. They reflect on the personal and social skills needed to maintain a positive outlook and evaluate behavioural expectations in different leisure, social and online situations.
Resources for parents to reinforce learning at home are also available. To support your children as they learn about respectful relationships you may like to access and use the following resources:
As students approach adulthood they start to reflect on the quality of their relationships, how effective are they and what guides them. Through RREP students learn about the importance of ethics in relationships and how ethical relationships lead to positive and healthy interactions. Students are also challenged to evaluate personal or collective beliefs and behaviours that support the use of violence. They explore gender inequality and its connection to domestic and family violence and are encouraged to become active citizens by committing to making improvements in their community.
Resources for parents to reinforce learning at home are also available. To support your children as they learn about respectful relationships you may like to access and use the following resources: