Listen, learn and grow

Middle School Monday, 14 Aug 2023


Students in Years 6 to 9 are exploring the topic of racism, diversity and inclusion during Homeroom time as we work towards raising awareness of issues surrounding racism in society, and look at ways society (and ourselves) can encourage diversity and inclusivity.

Students in Years 6 to 9 are exploring the topic of racism, diversity and inclusion during Homeroom time as we work towards raising awareness of issues surrounding racism in society, and look at ways society (and ourselves) can encourage diversity and inclusivity. We want students to listen, learn and grow, in line with our College mission, vision and values. At Helena College, our core values are:

  • Integrity and responsibility
  • Inclusion and participation 
  • Caring and compassion 
  • Respect for self, others and the environment.

These values tie directly in to this two-week program, which aims to raise awareness about the harmful effects that racism has on individuals and groups, with the aim of becoming a more inclusive and empathetic community. Racism hurts everyone. It divides us, denies opportunities, and reinforces harmful stereotypes. By working to end racism, we create a more just and equitable society for all.

Over the course of the two weeks, students will look at:

  • Understanding and defining racism, including bias, stereotypes, privilege and prejudice
  • Celebrating diversity and unity, encourage inclusivity
  • Standing up against racism.

At the end of this project, students will be able to:

  • develop their own statement about what racism is
  • provide examples of different types of racism
  • describe how an appreciation of diverse cultures can improve societies
  • develop guidelines for eliminating racism from our school community.

We look forward to sharing feedback from our students in the near future.