Consent and Respectful Relationships

As children and young people mature, their understanding of relationships, boundaries and respect continues to evolve.

Learning about consent is not a single conversation, but an ongoing process shaped by everyday interactions, social influences and guidance from trusted adults. While these topics can sometimes feel challenging to navigate, they play an essential role in supporting young people to form safe, healthy and respectful relationships.

Consent extends beyond sexual activity and is closely linked to communication, empathy and mutual respect in all relationships. In today's social and digital world, young people can face complex situations that require clear understanding and confidence to navigate. Consistent, age-appropriate messages from both home and school help reinforce what respectful behaviour looks like in practice.

By engaging with this topic, families are encouraged to build confidence in having calm, open conversations at home. When schools and families work together to reinforce shared values and expectations, young people are better equipped to understand boundaries, respect others and make informed choices that support their wellbeing now and into the future.

We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact your child’s Head of House, Year 9 Director / Head of Community or Wellbeing Support Service for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report:
https://notredame.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-consent-respectful-relationships-au

Do you have a teen aged 12-17 and are concerned about their mental health?

Partners in Parenting is an evidence-based, online program designed to help parents and carers build skills and confidence in supporting their teenager’s mental health. More than 5,000 families across Australia and the UK have already benefitted from the program, and researchers at Monash University want to give more families in the community access to the program.

To do this, we’re conducting a research trial comparing two different versions of the program. Both versions include the same online program, providing parents with evidence-based parenting strategies. The program is free to join and parents will receive egift vouchers for each follow-up survey they complete.

➡ Learn more about Partners in Parenting and express your interest here:

https://p2p.partnersinparentin...