Anti Racism policy
Racism is not tolerated in Lalor Secondary College
Lalor Secondary College is committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive environment where racism is not tolerated. Racism harms students’ mental health, learning and sense of belonging. We celebrate the diversity of cultures, ethnicities and faiths of all our students. It is up to all of us at Lalor Secondary College to make our school a place that is free of racism and where everyone feels respected and can learn in a safe and inclusive environment.
What Lalor Secondary College is doing to prevent racism
Lalor Secondary College follows the Department of Education’s Preventing and Addressing Racism in Schools Policy and the Lalor Secondary College Anti-Racism Policy. We are building a culturally safe school with inclusive learning for everyone by working with staff, students, families, carers and communities. We will:
- provide programs that teach about and celebrate diversity, inclusion and the impact of racism to build understanding and empathy
- use practices that support all students to thrive
- implement anti-racism efforts to prevent and address racism effectively
- make sure everyone feels safe, with clear and accessible pathways to report racism
How Lalor Secondary College will respond to racism
When you report a racist incident, Lalor Secondary College will:
- take your report seriously and act quickly
- give you ongoing support
- investigate and respond safely and appropriately
- keep you informed, while respecting privacy
- review the incident to help avoid it from happening again.
What to do if your child experiences or witnesses racism at school
If your child experiences or witnesses racism or religious discrimination at school, please let us know. By contacting the General Office who can direct you to the appropriate staff member (ph 9463 7300).
Report Racism hotline
If you don’t feel comfortable reporting racism to school, or you are not happy with the school’s response, you can report racism to:
- the Department of Education’s Report Racism hotline via email report.racism@education.vic.gov.au or phone 1800 722 476 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
- Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) via email vaeai@vaeai.org.au or phone 03 9481 0800 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
- Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) online, via email complaints@veohrc.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 292 153 (Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm).
For additional support following an incident of racism:
- First Nations students, staff or families can contact Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc.(VAEAI)
- Jewish students, staff or families can contact the Jewish Community Council of Victoria
- Muslim students, staff or families can contact the Islamic Council of Victoria
For more information about how to report racism to the school, and to get information in community languages, visit this website: Report racism or religious discrimination in schools. If you need an interpreter to call the school, please use the details available at: Guide for Families: How to use an interpreter to contact your school.