Grey Street Primary School

Gender Equity Policy 

PURPOSE.

 

1.1  To follow the Principles for Action as set out in 'Gender Equity: A framework for    Australian Schools'

1.2  Curriculum reform will acknowledge and address gender equity in meeting the needs of girls and boys.

1.3  Gendered violence and sex-based harassment will not be tolerated.

 

GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

 

2.1 Equitable access to a rewarding and effective education provided to all boys and 

      girls which is enhanced rather than limited by definitions of what it means to be  

      male or female.

 

2.2 That schools be places where both boys and girls feel safe, are safe and where   

      they are respected and valued.

 

2.3 That schools acknowledge their active role in the construction of gender and

      accept their responsibility to ensure that all organisational, management practices 

      and Key Learning Areas reflect commitment to gender equity.

 

2.4 That schools foster an understanding that gender construction is influenced by

      other factors such as cultural background, social economic status, locality,

      disability and sexuality.

 

2.5 That girls and boys are equipped to deal with all aspects of a changing society.

 

2.6 That school communities work in partnership with outside organisations and 

      agencies to enhance the educational outcomes for boys and girls.

 

2.7 That schools have targeted intervention programs and processes that foster

       increased levels of participation and improved outcomes for girls and boys.

 

2.8 That school programs and curriculum are underpinned by relevant legislation such

       as Victorian Equal Opportunity Act 1995.

 

2.9 That continuous monitoring of educational outcomes and program review should

       inform and enhance decisions on the development, resourcing and delivery of an

       effective and rewarding education for girls and boys.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

 

3.1 Strategies for the implementation of gender equity through programs and

      curriculum will include-

·        Exploring the role of language in the construction of gender and critically examine the influence of popular culture on gender.

·        Developing skills , behaviours, attitudes and understanding that will enable boys and girls  to construct equal and respectful relationships.

·        Awareness raising for parents to explore the issues and develop consistent approaches with teachers towards gender equity.

·        Enabling all groups of boys and all groups of girls to become competent and confident users of all aspects of information technology.

·        Ensuring school discipline and behaviour management policies and practices are consistent with the principles of gender equity and procedures for dealing with complaints

·        Providing resources and teacher professional development to support an environment in which the concept of gender equity is integrated into policies, curriculum and school procedures.

 

EVALUATION

 

4.1 Strategies for the evaluation of gender equity through programs and

      curriculum will include-

·        Use of information on participation and achievement by gender to help in planning for improvement.

·        Review of policies to address sex-based harassment and review of behaviour management programs.

·        Review of curriculum materials purchased for programs to ensure gender equity principles.

 

RESOURCES

 

5.1

·        'Hands Off' material for use in upper school classrooms.

·        Gender Equity: A framework for Australian Schools.