"Breaking the Silence" on Domestic Violence! An Open Letter to the Dianella Secondary College Community

​Dear Parents, Caregivers and Community Members,

As you may be aware, Dianella Secondary College has become accredited as a White Ribbon school through our participation in the "Breaking the Silence" Program.

"Breaking the Silence" is an award-winning professional learning initiative for principals and teachers that provide foundational knowledge, tools and strategies to implement respectful relationships and domestic violence education programs in schools.
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The program supports schools to bring about a commitment to stop violence against women. It builds on existing initiatives to strengthen a culture of respect and equality at all levels of the school community – through the curriculum, role modelling from staff, policies and procedures and strengthen family and community partnerships.

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.

Last year, we held our very first White Ribbon assembly with White Ribbon ambassadors helping us to educate our students. It was also a great opportunity for all three principals of the Dianella Education Precinct to take the White Ribbon oath on behalf of our respective schools.

“I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against women” - White Ribbon Oath

Yours Sincerely, 

Wayne Austin
Principal
Dianella Secondary College