Bully Stoppers Case Study Bentleigh Secondary College

Bentleigh Secondary School

The Bentleigh Secondary School ‘Respect for All’ project involves a whole-school approach to address homophobic bullying.

Tell us about Bentleigh Secondary School

Bentleigh Secondary School is a metropolitan secondary college in the south eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It is a government coeducational school with approximately 900 students in years 7 to 12

What is the ‘Respect for All’ project?

The project Respect For All, involved a whole school approach to address the issue of homophobic bullying at Bentleigh Secondary College through a combination of awareness raising activities, formal presentations, education sessions and the formation of the Respect group (Gay/ Straight Alliance).

What are the aims of ‘Respect for All’?

An audit at the end of 2012 found that there were some specific examples of homophobic bullying and language occurring at the school. The specific objectives of the project were to achieve:

• A decrease in the perceived use of homophobic language at school

• A decrease in the number of witnessed incidents of homophobic bullying at school

• An increase in active student intervention around homophobic bullying or language

• An increase of student awareness of the law around bullying or harassing due to difference

• An increase in student knowledge of the legal requirement around being safe, happy and respected at school

• An increase in the number of students who think school is safe for Same Sex Attracted and/or Sex or Gender Diverse (SSASGD) students

• An increase in the frequency of inclusion of sexual diversity in the curriculum in multiple subject areas

How was ‘Respect for All’ developed?

Using the Victorian Health Promoting Schools and Early Childhood Education and Care Services Framework (Achievement Program, 2013) and the Bully Stoppers and Safe Schools Coalition principles of addressing homophobic behaviour, the following strategies were utilised:

Healthy Policy

• Inclusion of homophobia and transphobia in the school’s harassment policy

Healthy Physical Environment

• Form a Gay/ Straight Alliance group (Respect) and provide a safe place and time to meet.

• Provision of respect for inclusivity signage and posters.

Healthy Social Environments

• Development of the Respect group and formalisation of its running.

• Display of posters promoting inclusivity and preventing homophobia

• Adherence to the school’s principles of Restorative Practices to promote an inclusive environment

Learning and Skills

• Training for senior Respect students in supportive, listening, assertiveness and advocacy

• Provision of sexual health education to include knowledge and problem solving around sexual and gender diversity, homophobia, transphobia behaviors and language

• Education of staff

• Engaging children, young people, staff and their families

• Development and facilitation of a student led group

• Strategies to raise awareness that involve the community such as awareness days

• Newsletter articles

Community Partnerships

• Establish links with Safe Schools Coalition, City of Kingston QIK, BGKLLEN Respect meeting and attend local Safe Schools Coalition breakfast

• Regularly consult with these groups to ensure best practice

• Specifically utilise the Safe Schools Coalition guidelines in addressing homophobia and transphobia

This project will be audited annually to track changes

Has the program been a success?

The following evidence of success was identified through the audit of staff and students:

• A continued high level of perceived safety for students who identify as sexually or gender diverse

• A very high perception of the school being supportive of students who identify as sexually or gender diverse

• A significant increase in active student intervention when there is evidence of homophobic or transphobic language or bullying

• A small decrease in perceived use of homophobic language and staff report a very low perception of its occurrence

• A very slight reduction in witnessed homophobic or transphobic bullying

• An increase in the inclusion of sexual diversity in the general curriculum

• The following evidence of success was identified from the Respect Training Day:

• All students in their evaluation enjoyed the day and found it useful and beneficial

• All student and presenters found the concept of combining schools created synergy for further initiative in dealing with homophobia and transphobia

Additional Evidence

Three students from Mordialloc College and Bentleigh Secondary College were interviewed by Sammy Cameron on Joy FM about the work of the Gay/ straight alliances.

A student from Bentleigh Secondary College presented at the Safe School’s Coalition 3rd birthday party.

What is the future of ‘Respect for All’?

The project will continue into next year with the following activities:

• Continued support and facilitation of the student led support/ advocacy group (Respect).

• Ongoing awareness raising and sexual and gender diversity education for the students in general and also specific peer education initiatives.

• Further emphasis on the human rights and legal aspects of homophobic or transphobic bullying.

• Another Respect Training for the selected Respect members with further focus on advocacy and communication skills. This will be in conjunction with the Safe Schools Coalition.

• Ongoing awareness raising and skill development for staff from the Safe School’s Coalition

• Continued advocacy for consideration of sexual and gender diversity be included in the greater curriculum such as History or English

• Broadening the concept of inclusivity to include acceptance of all types of diversity – such as racial / cultural diversity

• Ongoing liaison with students from Mordialloc College

• Students wish to participate in the Gay Pride March in February 2014

Contact

Jenny Muir – School Nurse -