On 22 February 2018 St Francis’ School became officially recognised as White Ribbon School having completed the ‘Breaking the Silence’ professional learning program. As a White Ribbon School our goal is to be a strong symbol of a safe, equitable school and vehicle for changes in attitudes and behaviours
The Breaking the Silence program provides foundational knowledge, tools and strategies to implement respectful relationships and domestic violence education programs in schools. Through active participation, the students learn and experience respectful relationships, gender equality and how to challenge attitudes which support violence. The aim is to create real generational change to stop violence against women in Australia.
Schools play a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of violence by teaching young people how to recognise and challenge violence against women and build respectful relationships. Breaking the Silence engages the wider school community to promote and role model gender equality and create a safe, inclusive school culture to stop violence against women.
As a part of being a White Ribbon School, each year St Francis School will actively acknowledge White Ribbon Day (25 November) and provide opportunities for students to engage in community events and activities centred around this important day.