Rotary SAFE Families’ Towards Respectful Relationships initiative
This program will be presented by Rotary SAFE Families (RSF) and available to any Rotary Club for their sponsorship of a School of their choice.
Rotary Kingscliff’s Ginny Giorgio, Family Law Court Lawyer has given Rotary SAFE Families permission to use their copyright program: Towards Respectful Relationships (TRR) which is running for the fourth year by Rotary Clubs in northern NSW.
This has proven to be an excellent initiative with young people talking to young people about respect and respectful relationships including promoting healthy non-abusive family relationships.
With the guidance of a film producer, school Welfare person, Domestic Violence Vic Police Officer, Rotary Club and/or RSF facilitator, the Year 10 students in groups of 4 or 5, (depending on class numbers) follow the comprehensive Manual “Towards Respectful Relationships Teaching Resource” (as attached) over a period of 8 weeks.
Each group of students is responsible for creating discussion, script, actors, film making and editing in preparation of their film.
Please note that this program fits nicely into the Personal Development Skills or Well Being Year 10 subject taught at Victorian schools or as an elective like Music. (https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum)
The following is the outline of this program including Rotary Club sponsorship and school’s participation:
RSF invites Rotary Clubs to take part in the TRR, providing the program, Manual and responsibilities etc.,
Each Rotary Club will need to fund film-producer (Sean Meltzer OAM is available and recommended.)
Rotary Club invites school of their choice to participate (with RSF assistance and collaboration);
School works with RSF facilitator, a volunteer from the sponsoring Rotary Club, School’s Welfare Teacher/Officer, a Victoria Police person and the film producer to keep students on track with following the Manual’s weekly steps.
School's participating Year 10 students are grouped in groups of 3-5 students depending on the number of Year 10 students;
Each group of students follows the 8 week program as per the Manual “Towards Respectful Relationships Teaching Resource” to create their own 3-5 minute film. Student’s time each week will vary between 2 to 2.5 hours.
When films are produced:
Judging panel comprising a RSF Leader, Vic Police person, President of sponsoring Rotary Club judges the films for a $300 (or more) Rotary SAFE Families’/sponsoring Rotary Club award funded by sponsoring Rotary Club
School’s Year 9 students vote for their Student Choice Award of $300 (or more) funded by sponsoring Rotary Club
Awards are presented at school organised event by the Rotary Club President, with parents, teachers, students, Victoria Police and Rotary SAFE Families.
Total cost for participating Rotary Club:
Film producer = $1,500 plus travel
Prizes = $ 300 X 2
Total = $2,100 (not including travel expenses by film producer)
The project’s multi-benefits :
- Chance for “kids to talk to kids” to share, discuss what is a respectful relationship and apply their understanding to create a film involving young people, not being told, or limited in their creativity
- Chance to engage with a Victoria Police person to interact and share anecdotal experiences in a trusting relationship
- by addressing trust and family abuse issues to achieve sustainable social change
- by turning disadvantage into productive outcomes
- by discussing, sharing and mentoring to raise the bar
- by volunteering with a purpose for community benefit
- by recognising talent and encouraging young people to grow towards their full potential
- by awarding those who shine to create a lasting contribution
- Rotary SAFE Families and Sponsor Club promotion
Quotations taken from the TRR program at Rotary Kingscliff include:
Student: “When we began the project, I thought domestic violence was an unsolvable issue. Now I believe it can be fixed.”
Volunteer Rotary Facilitator: “Being a survivor of domestic violence myself, I really want to honour the students for their bravery in exploring and reimagining the DV narrative in such uniquely creative ways.”
External Stakeholders:
Year 10 Students studying Personal Development Skills subject
Rotary Club and/or TSF Facilitator to guide/mentor the student led learning
Film maker to mentor and support students
Police Domestic Abuse Liaison Officer from Victoria Police
School Liaison Officer/School Counsellor
The following Governance documentation as prescribed in the Teaching Resource/Manual to be undertaken prior to the program commencing:
Current Working with Children Checks
Code of Conduct Policy (Rotary Club members to follow Rotary Club policy)
Parent/Legal Guardian Consent Form
Insurance Cover (covered by both School and Rotary Insurance)
Program Schedule
Voting Forms for Awards
Contracting with Film Producer