Respectfully Speaking

By the Alkimos Respectful Relationships Team

At Alkimos Primary School, we often talk about our school values—Respect, Resilience, Cooperation, Honesty, and Kindness. They’re more than just words. They are values we hope our children will carry with them into the world, shaping how they treat others and how they see themselves.

This week, we want to talk about one of those values in particular: RESPECT.

Why is Respect So Important?

Respect is the foundation of all strong relationships—at home, at school, and in the wider world. When children understand what respect is and why it matters, they are more likely to grow into thoughtful, confident and compassionate adults.

In a world where our kids are exposed to so much—whether it's social media, online games, or even just playground banter—it’s more important than ever that they have a strong sense of how to treat others with dignity and kindness. According to research from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), when schools teach respectful behaviours and emotional skills explicitly, students show improved relationships, reduced bullying, and better academic results.

And it’s not just about what NOT to do—like avoiding name-calling or interrupting. It’s about what we DO instead: listening with care, speaking with kindness, and treating everyone as if they matter. Because they do.

What Does Respect Look Like in Real Life?

At Alkimos, we see respectful behaviour in many little moments throughout the day:

• A student helping a classmate clean up without being asked.
• Kids saying “please” and “thank you.”
• Waiting patiently for a turn.
• Apologising when someone’s feelings have been hurt.
• Speaking up kindly when something feels unfair.

Respect is not about being perfect—it’s about showing others that we value them. And often, it’s the small, consistent actions that speak the loudest.

How Do We Model Respect for Our Kids?

Our children are always watching—and learning from us. The way we speak to each other, how we handle frustration, and even the tone we use when we talk to them teaches them what respectful behaviour looks and feels like.

As Dr. Dan Siegel, author of The Whole-Brain Child, reminds us, “What we say to our children becomes their inner voice.” So, when we show empathy, stay calm in tense moments, and treat others with fairness, we are giving our children a powerful script for how to behave.

Here are a few simple ways we can model respect at home:

• Taking time to listen—even when we’re busy.
• Using “please” and “thank you” with our kids.
• Talking about feelings and encouraging empathy.
• Setting clear boundaries calmly and kindly.

And when mistakes happen (because they always do!), those moments can also become teaching opportunities. Saying, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have snapped,” shows children that respect includes accountability.

Respect in the Digital World

Our children are growing up in a world that’s very different from the one many of us knew. With access to the internet, YouTube, and social media, they see a wide range of behaviours—some respectful, some not.

That’s why it’s vital that we help them make sense of what they see. The eSafety Commissioner (2023) encourages families to talk openly about online behaviour and remind children that the same rules of kindness and respect apply online as they do in real life.

At school, our Respectful Relationships program helps students understand how to be kind, assertive, and inclusive—both in person and online. These lessons are more than just curriculum—they are lifelong skills.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Respect begins at home, is reinforced at school, and grows through every interaction our children have. It’s in how we speak, how we listen, how we treat others—and most of all, how we make people feel.

Let’s keep working together to raise respectful kids who not only know right from wrong but choose to act with kindness and integrity—even when no one’s watching.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us.

Warm regards,
Alkimos Respectful Relationships Team

References and Resources:

• CASEL (2020). The CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL – https://casel.org
• Berkowitz, M. & Bier, M. (2005). What Works in Character Education. Character Education Partnership.
• Dan Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson. The Whole-Brain Child (2012). Bantam Books.
• Australian Student Wellbeing Framework – https://studentwellbeinghub.edu.au
• eSafety Commissioner. Respectful Online Behaviour – https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids

Kind regards,

Alkimos Primary School - Respectful Relationships Team