There is, on a periodic basis, a debate that appears in the media between the positions of single-sex and co-educational (co-ed) schools. There are valid arguments on both sides, and I don’t intend to enter the debate here. Personally, I have spent most of my career working in boys’ schools, and my five years at Delany has been my only work in a co-ed school. However, I have spent my entire adult working life in co-ed jobs! In other words, your child’s Delany classrooms are a preparation for the family and work experiences of their future.
During the past few weeks, and not for the first time, we have heard reports of a culture of workplace bullying and discrimination from the halls of our federal parliament. It is certainly not the only example. It is more shocking to have heard the allegation of sexual assaults that may have occurred in parliament. Sadly it has taken the courageous story of Ms Brittany Hughes, and now others who have spoken out, to shine a light on this behaviour. An important element that is apparently missing from federal Parliament is a clear process by which to report such experiences.
My experience at Delany College demonstrates the importance of young women and men working together in a “normal” environment. In between all the academic learning that occurs at school there are a tremendous number of learning opportunities that relate to developing and maintaining healthy and respectful relationships. It is a pleasure to see the way our students interact in classes and activities in exactly the way we all should - with confidence and safety.
We also acknowledge that adolescence is a period of significant change in a young person - emotionally, physically and socially. These changes also impact on the relationship between young men and women. Friendships come and go, and even the occasional relationship flourishes then end - all of which is not only normal but another important element of learning. These changes require the skills of resilience and sometimes courage.
I don’t suggest for a moment that bickering doesn't occur;, bullying is reported and bust ups emerge. One measure of success is how often these events occur. From our perspective, a key to minimising these events is the speed with which we respond to an incident, the restoration of positive relationships after the event, and the confidence in the support a student receives to be resilient - get up and start again.
The College has policies and procedures that address bullying, and these are available to read on our website. We have four outstanding House Coordinators who work with, teach and support students when they need a hand. Every one of our teaching and administration staff also offer support, a listening ear or a suggestion to help in tough times. And we have Mrs Kate Roberts, who is well known by the majority of our students, who is a second-to-none counsellor.
Regardless of policies and procedures, good friends or capable staff, there is one essential ingredient in responding to inappropriate incidents. It is the key ingredient that has empowered Ms Higgins to speak up about her ordeal, and the same for our Australian of the Year Ms Grace Tame. It is courage to tell someone. We learn sometimes that a student who reports bullying has waited for a long time to say anything. If we don’t know we can’t help.
I encourage you to keep asking your child about their day. What did you learn today? What was most interesting? What was funniest or frustrating? Who are your friends? What learning teams are you in? What is most challenging, what is most enjoyable? And I encourage you to empower your child to be open and honest with their teachers - whether that’s friendship problems, social media or learning challenges. Our response will not be to just give all the answers, but rather to use these conversations as teaching and learning opportunities through which we develop resilience as well as skills.
We are teaching and learning for success at school, but more importantly, success for the future families and workplaces our young people will lead. If we are successful, they will lead with compassion, courage and resilience.
St Patrick, pray for us.
Mr Anthony Blomfield
Assistant Principal