Students learning violence not right

LAUNCESTON Church Grammar School is teaching its students not to “commit, condone or excuse violence against women”.

The school has been involved with anti-violence group White Ribbon for five years after its appeal compelled headmaster Stephen Norris to offer it to the school.

“White Ribbon helps young males to develop an awareness and responsibility that ensures we can improve a dire situation in our area and our country in terms of violence against women,’’ Mr Norris said.

The school is embracing the group’s award-winning antiviolence program called Breaking the Silence.

Breaking the Silence is a professional development program for principals and senior teachers that supports them to embed models of respectful relationships in school culture and classroom activities.

The Mercury reported last week only three Tasmanian schools had taken up a call to implement the program.

However, White Ribbon’s schools youth and communities manager Jennifer Mullen said yesterday since then another three schools had expressed interest.

Ms Mullen said much work was being done in schools on social justice and respectful relationships.

“Breaking the Silence is a framework that builds on the work that is already underway in schools,’’ she said.

Mr Norris said all students were taught mutual respect, care and understanding.

“We teach all our young people that violence as a response or action is in no way acceptable,” he said.

Mr Norris said Breaking the Silence formalised Launceston Grammar’s training seminars and role plays on anti-violence.

“White Ribbon is something we believe in and we support — not to commit or condone or excuse violence against women,” he said.

“It is an essential part of [our students’] learning that they don’t make the mistakes we see all too frequently.”