Responding to racism and violence in current events: Refelective questions

Reflective questions for school leaders

1. How are we clearly demonstrating an active anti-racist stance through our leadership, actions, and communication?

2. How confident are our staff in facilitating discussions about racism and current events, and what support do they need?

3. Do we have consistent, well-understood processes for responding to and recording racist incidents?

4. How are we ensuring racialised learners feel safe, supported, and not burdened during these discussions, without singling them out or putting them on the spot?

5. In what ways are we embedding racial literacy across the curriculum, not just responding in moments of crisis?

6. How are we supporting staff wellbeing, particularly those who may be personally impacted?

7. How effectively are we engaging with families and communities to reinforce clear, anti-racist messages?

8. How are we ensuring our response leads to sustained, long-term change rather than short-term action?

Reflective questions for educators

1. What messages might learners already be receiving about these events—from social media, peers, or community—and how can I responsibly engage with or correct these?

2. Whose voices and experiences are being centred in our discussion? Whose are missing?

3. How do I respond if a learner expresses harmful or discriminatory views while maintaining a learning environment that challenges, rather than shuts down, dialogue?

4. What assumptions might I be bringing into the conversation, and how do I ensure they do not reinforce bias?

5. How can I connect current events to ongoing learning about racism, power, and justice, rather than treating them as isolated incidents?