On Thursday 29 May 2025, MLC School proudly hosted RespectED, a parent forum sponsored by the Parents and Friends (P&F) Association. This important community event brought together parents, MLC School staff, and guests from local schools to explore the critical topic of respectful relationships among young people. The event was initiated by P&F Secretary Raji Behi in collaboration with Andrew Taylor, Deputy Head of Senior School – Wellbeing, and Melissa Boyd, Deputy Principal.

The evening featured a panel of leading voices in respectful relationship education, including:

• Katrina Marson, author of Legitimate Sexpectations and criminal lawyer
• Yasmin London, former police officer and digital safety expert
• David Kobler, Director of Your Choicez
• Cass De Nardis, Head of Programs at Elephant Ed

Throughout the evening, the panel engaged in a rich and insightful discussion, sharing their motivations, experiences, and practical advice for parents. A key message was the importance of starting conversations about respectful relationships early in a child’s life. The panel highlighted research suggesting that children as young as six may be exposed to online pornography, and stressed the need for age-appropriate strategies to teach body autonomy. One such strategy involved encouraging children to describe how different fabrics feel on their skin, helping them become more aware of their bodies and their right to express comfort or discomfort.

The forum emphasised that early education around boundaries, consent, emotional literacy, and sexual wellbeing equips young people with the tools to recognise healthy versus unhealthy dynamics and to advocate for themselves and others. Tools like the ‘traffic light system’ were introduced to help young people assess how relationships make them feel – green for safe, respected and supportive, red for anxious, controlled or diminished.

One of the most powerful takeaways for parents was the importance of listening. When a child shares something personal, the panel advised that the best response is simply, “Thank you for telling me,” followed by, “How can I support you?” These responses help build trust and create a safe space for future conversations. Parents were reassured that they don’t need to be experts to support their children – what matters most is open, non-judgemental communication. Creating safe spaces at home where children feel comfortable to reflect, question, and grow was a key practical takeaway. Parents were encouraged to model empathy and curiosity, and to use role-play to help children navigate real-life social situations.

The panel also addressed the growing trend of young people using tracking apps like Snap Maps in romantic relationships. While often framed as caring, this behaviour can lead to issues of privacy, trust, and coercive control. Teaching children to set boundaries and to feel confident saying “no” in everyday situations – such as choosing to spend time with family or focus on schoolwork – was highlighted as a sign of a healthy relationship. A lack of respect for those boundaries, on the other hand, was identified as an early red flag.

Media influences were also discussed, with references to recent shows like Adolescence on Netflix and the controversial online game No Mercy. These examples sparked important conversations about the messages young people receive and the role of adults in challenging harmful narratives. The panel urged parents to be proactive in these discussions, warning that if they don’t fill the silence around sex and relationships, other, potentially harmful sources will. Even if parents feel unsure, the panel stressed that it’s better for children to hear their voice than none at all.

A recurring theme throughout the evening was the importance of collaboration between parents and schools. The forum reinforced the idea that a “village approach” is essential to support young people effectively. While schools are well-placed to lead preventative education, it is through strong partnerships with families that these lessons truly take root. RespectED is part of MLC School’s broader commitment to student wellbeing. The school’s Kindergarten to Year 12 Wellbeing and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE) programs include developmentally appropriate respectful relationships content, providing a strong foundation for parents to build upon.

Following the forum, students in Year 8 to Year 10 participated in workshops with Elephant Ed. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of Year 9 and Year 10 students and 99% of Year 8 students giving the sessions a thumbs up. Approximately 96% of students across all three grades reported feeling more informed on the topics covered.

MLC School extends its sincere thanks to all who attended and contributed to this vital conversation. One parent reflected, “This forum truly stands out and has made a deep impression. I want to thank the School for its strong stance on this, for unashamedly not shying away from difficult topics, and for promoting protective partnerships with parents in this space.” Special thanks go to P&F President Felicity Clemens, Raji Behi, and the executive team for their support in making this event possible and for their commitment to educating and empowering the MLC School community.