In Term 4, all Year 8 students were involved in the Language Project. The Language Project evolved from data found in the student surveys which came from the Corridor Cultures research conducted in 2023. One of the recommendations, the use of derogatory language by students, was selected by the Wellbeing Project Co-ordinators as one a recommendations they felt could be quickly actioned and worked on. The project was developed from a wellbeing lens and was cross-referenced with the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships curriculum to embed a positive immersive action approach.
The project was presented in a Year 8 Assembly, where Jackie Cowcher, Year 8 Co-ordinator, outlined the aims and purpose of the project and how they were going to go about it. Kaitlin Young, Year 8 English Co-ordinator and Middle School Cartwright Head of House, then presented to them a short session on the difference between swearing and slurs. These concepts were followed by all students studying the film Hunt for the Wilderpeople in one of their English lessons, where they looked at the use of derogatory language in the film. They were also encouraged to consider language in play and the use of respectful language through role plays. Students were involved in real-life school-based scenarios where they had to consider what actions they would take.
Students then spent two of their Community Time sessions with their House groups exploring the differences between banter and bullying and partaking in further activities and discussions around the need for replacing derogatory language with respectful language. In the following Community Time, each House group explored what they had learnt in the previous sessions with the aim of creating an awareness poster about not using derogatory language. Each House submitted two posters, which were then voted on by the students. The equal winners were Dunshea and Fullard, with the runners up from Gadsden. The winning posters were announced in a Year 8 assembly this week where Ms Cowcher presented these students with their certificates and prizes. These three posters were printed and displayed around the Middle School for all to see and to encourage all students to reflect on their use of respectful language.
Jo Leech
Wellbeing Project Co-ordinator and Senior School History teacher
