Respectful Relationships

The events of last week at St Andrew’s Cathedral School were undeniably tragic, leaving a profound impact on the community and those who had dedicated years to the institution. As someone deeply connected to the school, I worked there for 15 years prior to starting at Shore, I can’t help but express sadness for the St Andrew’s community. Dr. Collier’s words resonate as he highlights the lives of two young individuals forever altered by these awful events. Lilie James, the victim, and her family, deserve our deepest sympathies, as they endure this unimaginable ordeal.

These events have left me, like many others, feeling troubled and shocked. As a pastoral leader within a school, a parent, and someone connected to this tragic event, it is challenging to comprehend the depth of it all and formulate a response.

As a pastoral educator, our partnership with parents is crucially important for navigating tragedies like this one. As a pastoral care team, we are working hard to support our boys during this time. We are also reviewing the proactive measures we have in place to ensure we are doing all we can to build young men who are responsible, compassionate, and ready to contribute positively to the world.

At Shore, we work hard to deliver a comprehensive pastoral care programme with a House system that fosters a positive sense of community, connection, and belonging among our students. These structures play a significant role in our students’ lives in numerous positive ways. Nevertheless, we recognise that there is always the need for review and potential changes. Part of an effective character education programme involves discussing the concept of positive masculinity and addressing critically important issues such as violence against women.

In 2024, we will trial a new programme, in partnership with Learning Consent and Dr. Joy Townsend, aimed at promoting respect and consent. This initiative has a focus on emotional regulation and addresses the issue of domestic violence. We firmly believe that this is part of the conversation we must have and a key element of a character education programme to guide our students towards responsible adulthood and nourishing and respectful relationships with those around them.

For parents, these conversations can be challenging to navigate at home. To provide valuable resources for our Shore families, we recommend the Respectful Relationships edition on School TV. This resource tackles the crucial aspects of good emotional regulation within healthy relationships, helping individuals navigate conflicts and disagreements, and addressing other relevant topics related to these issues. While it may not offer a complete solution to the current situation, we hope it proves valuable for our Shore families.

Watch the Respectful Relationships edition on School TV:

Respectful Relationships | SHORE – Sydney Church of England Grammar School (schooltv.me)

Mr D Champion
Deputy Head Pastoral Care