Respect. Regardless. Exploring Empathy, Inclusion and Understanding
Respect is often thought of as good manners, saying “please” and “thank you”. But true respect runs much deeper. It is about recognising the dignity of every person, listening with empathy and choosing to look beyond assumptions and stereotypes.
Year 12 students from Santa Maria College and Aquinas College came together this week for Respect. Regardless., a panel discussion designed to challenge perspectives and encourage meaningful conversations about respect, inclusion and belonging.
This student initiative led by the leaders from both schools, reflected a shared commitment to fostering respectful relationships and creating communities where everyone feels seen, heard and valued.
Welcoming students to the event, Santa Maria College Head Girl Chloe explained the purpose behind the initiative.
“Respect. Regardless is an initiative to demonstrate the importance of respect in every relationship, conversation and community we are part of, regardless of our differences. We hope to move beyond the idea of respect as simple politeness and instead explore what it means to actively build a more inclusive and empathetic society.”
Aquinas College Captain Trey encouraged students to reflect on how respect can strengthen friendships, schools and the wider community.
“We hope you leave today with a greater understanding of one another and the confidence to continue these conversations beyond this room.”
Learning Through Lived Experience
Students heard from three inspiring panellists, each sharing their own experiences of overcoming assumptions, stereotypes and adversity.
Former West Coast Eagles AFL player Brayden Ainsworth spoke openly about his mental health journey and the importance of breaking down stigma through honest conversations.
Former UFC fighter and Face Your Fears CEO Soa Palelei shared his experiences as a proud Tongan Australian, exploring identity, belonging and the stereotypes often faced by Pacific Islander men in sport, education and the broader community.
Specialist breast surgeon Dr Helen Ballal reflected on her journey as a leading Muslim woman in medicine, demonstrating how resilience, expertise and authenticity can challenge preconceived ideas and inspire others.
Together, their stories encouraged students to consider how respect is demonstrated not only through words, but through understanding, compassion and a willingness to see beyond first impressions.
Creating a Culture of Respect
Reflecting on the role students play in shaping their school communities, Chloe said respect begins with recognising that everyone has their own story.
“Students play an important role in creating a culture of respect by developing our emotional intelligence and recognising that everyone has different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We may never fully understand someone else’s journey, but we can still choose to respect them. Being proactive in getting to know people beyond our assumptions, listening to their stories and challenging our own biases helps create an environment where everyone feels valued, understood and included.”
Deputy Head Girl Alyssa hopes the messages shared during the panel will remain with students long after they leave school.
“We hope the Year 12s remember that to truly respect others they must first learn to respect themselves. That begins with finding and understanding who they are as a person. One of the key messages was that ‘life isn’t a performance’, it’s about authenticity. By embracing who you are, rather than living to meet the expectations of others, you learn to respect yourself, and self-respect is the foundation for respecting those around you.
We also hope students remember not to judge a book by its cover. Every person has a story, experiences and challenges that aren’t always visible, so taking the time to understand others before making assumptions is an important part of showing respect and empathy.”
Looking Beyond the Classroom
Danielle Spark, Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care, said the discussion was particularly relevant in today’s increasingly connected world.
“Respect should be the foundation of every healthy relationship. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In the online world our young people are exposed to, the anonymity afforded by social media can sometimes encourage disrespectful interactions and deepen division.
Our sincere hope is that Santa Maria and Aquinas students not only demonstrate respect in all their interactions but also expect to be treated with respect by others. Whether in the workplace, further study or their personal relationships, we hope they have the confidence to lead the way in fostering respectful relationships and contributing positively to the communities of which they are a part.”
The Respect. Regardless. panel demonstrated the power of student leadership and collaboration. By bringing together two school communities to listen, learn and reflect, the initiative encouraged young people to move beyond assumptions, embrace empathy and recognise that respect is a choice they can make every day.
- Aquinas College, empathy and belonging, Featured, inclusive school communities, respect and inclusion in schools, Respect Regardless, respectful relationships, Santa Maria College, Student Leadership, Student Wellbeing, Year 12 students
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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