Respectful relationships and gender equality

Headmaster's Blog

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The issue of domestic violence against women, regrettably, is not new to our society. As I read of yet another female death at the hands of an estranged partner, as the son of a mother, the brother of a sister, the husband of a wife, the father of a daughter and as a man I feel compelled to publicly commit my voice and energy to the eradication of violence against women.

In light of the recent stance taken by the Australian Football League (AFL) on the critical issue of domestic violence, it is imperative that we, as an educational institution, highlight our already established commitment to the significant role we must play in shaping the minds and attitudes of our students towards such a serious matter. The AFL's united front, as seen in the actions of clubs like Essendon and Collingwood and spearheaded by West Coast Eagles CEO Don Pyke, serves as a poignant reminder of the influence that organisations and individuals alike can exert in advocating for change and condemning violence against women.

At Scotch College we understand our responsibility to educate the men of tomorrow and the importance of developing respectful relationships with all members of society which obviously includes women.  We have imbedded curricular programmes, we engage with external agencies, we have a Memorandum of Understanding with our sister school, PLC and a joint rowing shed with St Hilda's and we have an ongoing commitment to be leaders in society's commitment to eradicating domestic violence.

As an independent school for boys, we have the responsibility and the privilege to educate our young men not only academically but also morally. It is essential that we instil in them the values of respect, empathy, and equality from an early age.

The AFL's initiative to observe a moment of silence before games is a powerful gesture that underscores the gravity of domestic violence and the respect owed to its victims, but it is, surely, only the beginning, a call to arms for us all, if you will.

This act of solidarity and remembrance is a lesson in empathy and community responsibility that we too should echo within our school's culture, a commitment that Scotch College has at its core. It is also only a gesture in a moment of time, but I choose to use this as the impetus to highlight Scotch College's ongoing commitment to educating young men of moral and ethical character, filled with respect, compassion and an unrelenting commitment to honouring the individuality of all people but especially to women.

I am fortunate to work in a profession surrounded by exceptional women, many of whom have been role models for me, many who have taught me about hard work, about resilience, about compassion, about respect, about vulnerability and, most importantly about how to be a strong man.

We must engage our students, society's next generation of men, in meaningful discussions, provide them with the tools to understand the impact of their actions, allow them to feel the consequences of these actions and encourage them to be advocates for positive change.

Education on such matters cannot be limited to the confines of a classroom; it must be a continuous dialogue that extends into every aspect of their lives, including the sports they play and the social activities they partake in, and these conversations must be had at home and in social settings, not only at school.

It is my hope that we take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. Together, we can work towards a future where domestic violence is not a shadow that darkens our society, but a challenge that we have overcome through education, awareness, and collective action.

We are especially well placed to be continual leaders in the broader community, and whether we want this responsibility or not as an independent school for boys we will be held to a public level of accountability.  That said, this is a responsibility that I am keen to accept and ensure is an underlying focus in all that we do for your sons.

Please join me with an equal and shared public commitment to helping our society call out and eradicate violence, in all its forms, but especially against women.

Sincerely,
Brad Gill
Acting Headmaster