How to do it? Well I figured the best way to start is to simply ask the school to join. I have done this and now await an outcome. I am hopeful. Please read my letter to the school below. If you live in Victoria and your child's school is not on the list - please write a letter like this to your school and follow it up. Lets get this list longer. It is not just for our families but for all children who will grow up as GLBTI. They need our support and help. This is one way.
Dear Janet
Thank you for your telephone call yesterday. I really appreciated your proactive and thoughtful response to my concerns.
I wanted to speak to you about helping make Hawthorn West Primary School a better place and safer place for all children. There is an organisation called "Safe Schools Coalition Victoria" (www.safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au) which is supported by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Health in Victoria. The project is delivered by Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria.
The aim of the SSCV is this: "We aim to reduce homophobia and transphobia in schools, and to create learning environments where every student can learn, every teacher can teach, and every family can belong". I think you will agree that this is an important aim and one that I am sure you and the school community would broadly share.
Joining the SSCV is free and provides resources, training and professional development for staff, parents and students. It also provides tailored advice and consultancy on specific issues that may arise.
You will note that there is a long list of participating schools, both primary and secondary.
- Alia College
- AMEP / Language and Literacy Programs, Victoria University, Sunshine
- Ballarat High School
- Balwyn High School
- Bayside City Council Youth Services (Associate member)
- Bellarine Secondary College
- Belmont High School
- Bentleigh Secondary College
- Bialik College
- Billanook College
- Brighton Secondary College
- Brimbank Youth Services (Associate member)
- Bundoora Secondary College
- CAE College
- Camberwell Grammar School
- Canterbury Girls' Secondary College
- Caroline Springs College
- Carrum Downs Secondary College
- Caulfield Park Community School
- Collingwood College
- Croydon Community School
- Dromana Secondary College
- Elisabeth Murdoch College
- Eltham College of Education
- Eltham High School
- Fitzroy High School
- Fountain Gate Secondary College
- Gisborne Secondary College
- Hallam Senior College
- Hampton Park Secondary College
- Hoppers Crossing Secondary College
- Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School
- Keilor Downs Secondary College
- Kilbreda College
- Kooweerup Secondary College
- Kurnai College (Morwell Campus)
- Kyneton Secondary College
- Lara Secondary College
- Little Yarra Steiner School
- Lyndhurst Secondary College
- Mac.Robertson Girls High School
- Manor Lakes College
- Maribyrnong College
- Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College
- McKinnon Secondary College
- Melba College
- Melbourne High School
- Mentone Girls' Secondary College
- Methodist Ladies College
- Mill Park Secondary College
- Montmorency Secondary College
- Mooroopna Secondary College
- Mordialloc College
- Mount Alexander College
- Mount Eliza Secondary College
- Mt. Clear College
- Mt. Erin Secondary College
- Newcomb Secondary College
- North Geelong Secondary College
- Northcote High School
- Northcote Primary School
- Pearcedale Primary School
- Point Cook Senior Secondary College
- Princes Hill Secondary College
- Reservoir High School
- Ringwood Secondary College
- RMIT VCE Program
- Rowville Secondary College
- Rutherglen High School
- Sandringham College
- School for Student Leadership
- Sholem Aleichem College
- Somerville Secondary College
- Southern Teaching Unit, Moorabbin
- St Albans Secondary College
- St Joseph's College
- St Leonard's College
- Stonnington Youth Services (Associate member)
- Strathmore Secondary College
- Suzanne Cory High School
- Taradale Primary School
- Tarneit Senior College
- Templestowe College
- The King David School
- Thornbury High School
- Trafalgar High School
- Vermont Secondary College
- Viewbank College
- Wantirna College
- Warrandyte High School
- Werribee Secondary College
- Whittlesea Secondary College
- Wodonga Senior Secondary College
- Woodleigh School
I would like to see Hawthorn West Primary School added to that list. It would demonstrate a commitment to a safe and healthy environment to not only our family but to the many other families of HWPS that have a desire to see a safer and fairer environment for all same-sex attracted and gender diverse students, teachers, parents and family members.
There is a simple application form to complete which is available here (http://www.safeschoolscoalitionvictoria.org.au/join-here) but I have also attached a copy to this email.
I would be happy to meet and chat further about the importance of joining and I am happy to assist where ever I can in making Hawthorn West a safer and happier school.
Please let me have your thoughts on this.
Best Regards
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