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STRATEGIC PLANS - IDENTITY AND TRADITIONS

PROMOTING POSITIVE

MASCULINITY

Under the Traditions pillar of the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan is • The Year 11 Emerging Leaders program introduces students
a goal to “expand the concept of masculinity and champion to real-life examples of servant leadership and how they can
a contemporary view of boys’ education”. As a boys’ school, make a positive difference in the lives of others, while offering
Hale is in a privileged position to be able to focus squarely on peer mentoring opportunities with the younger boys.
masculinity and has been increasingly intentional in doing so.
• Year 12 student leaders proactively engage and encourage
Whilst the media is quick to highlight gender issues such as students across the School and act as positive role models.
male aggression, violence and mental health issues– which are These intentional approaches and programs are underpinned
undoubtedly concerning – we must find ways to enable boys by a positive School culture that aims to acknowledge diversity
to build a positive identity around modern masculinity. Creating and encourage the boys to embrace their own and others’
a safe environment for emotional and social development uniqueness. Harmony Day, NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation
supports our boys to be more empathetic towards others and Week are some examples of more formal celebrations that
at the same time, offers a sense of how to develop healthy honour cultural diversity.
relationships more generally.
It is also about what curricular and co-curricular options we offer
For young men to appreciate and accept diversity in others, and promote in a boys’ school setting. While STEM (Science,
they need to know themselves. This appreciation leads not only Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are known
towards more fulfilling relationships, but also an increase in to be strengths for many boys and continue to be popular, the
personal wellbeing. Positive identify formation involves being School offers a broad range of subjects, from Visual Arts to Drama,
aware enough of who we are at our core – our strengths as Philosophy, Media and languages – in fact, Hale has the highest
well as vulnerabilities – and then learning how best we can use number of boys studying French of any school in the State.
those traits.
Similarly, sport has always been very popular at Hale School
Hale School allocates time within the timetable to discuss key and continues to be valued as a positive and enjoyable outlet
issues and challenges boys face in the adolescent years.
for energy, health and fitness. We understand that it is vitally
• The Year 7 Transition program sets up opportunities for important for boys to incorporate movement into their day, and
the boys to be the ‘better’ version of themselves as they assists them with learning. However, over the years, the School
enter this next stage in their schooling, meeting new people, has evolved to offer more co-curricular options, including music,
making new friends, trying new things and taking on new performing arts and service learning, which have become highly
challenges. They also learn about emotional intelligence. valued components of a Hale School education. Providing
diverse opportunities for boys to discover their interests and
• The Year 8-9 Character Development program is all about talents without fear or favour is paramount in supporting an
building key character traits, focusing on integrity, inclusive culture and positive sense of self, while
resilience, respect, self-awareness, connection, widening the lens on masculinity.
collaboration, empathy and creativity.
We know that every boy has his individual
• In 2022 we introduced a Year 10
Conversations program run by journey and to help him achieve
Heads of House, Young Haleians these outcomes, we are constantly
and Old Girls from Perth College reviewing programs across the
and St Mary’s Anglican Girls’ School that help our students
School, alongside a group to learn skills, attitudes and
of expert facilitators. Mike behaviours to be life ready. Through
Dyson of Good Blokes Co. co-curricular activities, service
was engaged to train our key learning, character, wellbeing and
pastoral staff in facilitation leadership development programs,
skills that reassure, guide external presenters, and most
and mentor these students. importantly, our pastoral care staff,
A key focus is on how cultural we are providing opportunities for
expectations of young men shape each student to find his passion, build
wellbeing and relationships. connection and achieve success.

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