Bystander education
Bystander education
Respect Ambassdor
Program (RAP)
Empowering students to lead cultural change in their school.
What is the
Respect Ambassador Program?
An evidence-based and skills-focused program that provides young leaders with the skills and voice needed for bystander activation. It builds confidence and capacity for them to actively support their peers.
The student-led program leverages the emotional intelligence and self-regulation abilities of senior primary students to help them understand social catalysts, such as the connection between power and violence, what respect means in simple terms, and how respectful, inclusive relationships can negate bullying.
In the process of becoming Respect Ambassadors, students learn a range of strategies to defuse conflict, and model decisive and compassionate behaviour that contributes to an enduring positive culture in their school.
The overall aim of RAP is to develop a peer-led environment that encourages student voice and agency towards bystander activation and prioritises the safety of other students, teachers and the community.
What’s involved?
RAP is a stepping stone to existing school mental health, wellbeing and respectful relationship programs.
The program comprises two half-day sessions and is designed to be fully accessible to all students, including low literacy, diverse backgrounds and those managing adverse life experiences.
In the first session, wellbeing teachers and upper school wellbeing leaders are trained as Respect Ambassadors. They learn ‘inclusion intervention skills’ so they can safely address bullying and model positive behaviour that encourages diversity, inclusion and positive relationships in their school and community.
The second session puts this learning into practice. Respect Ambassadors become co-facilitators with Kinder Communities’ staff by teaching middle school students how to teach skills and strategies for bystander activation, understand compassion and empathy for the bully and support one another and why these qualities are so valued.
Following these sessions, there are opportunities to build confidence for middle and upper school students to host and deliver a family celebration. These celebrations showcase their learning to the school community and helps generate ongoing cultural change.