Evans was speaking after Independent Schools NSW received an international award for its Consent and Respectful Relationships Education initiative, a multifaceted approach to helping Independent school students build healthy, equal and safe relationships.
The Consent and Respectful Relationships Education initiative received the top Platinum Award for Learning and Development (Education) at the global LearnX Awards in Melbourne late last year.
LearnX is a highly respected international awards program that recognises outstanding achievements in learning, development and talent management across the corporate, education, and public-service sectors.
“This international award recognises Independent Schools NSW’s commitment to empowering school staff and students through innovative learning design,” Evans said.
“Since its launch in early 2025, more than 1700 staff across nine independent schools have undertaken the Consent and Respectful Relationships Education program.
“Some 96 per cent of participants have said they are now better equipped to contribute to a whole-school approach to consent and respectful relationships education.”
Evans said demand from independent schools to participate in the initiative has surged in 2026.
One school principal said the initiative provided training to ensure the school’s culture reflects its beliefs in the dignity of every person.
“As an all-boys school, we hold a very special responsibility to form boys and young men who are capable of deep, respectful relationships with girls and young women,” the principal said.
Evans said the Consent and Respectful Relationships Education program is delivered in-school to staff by qualified independent schools NSW consultants and includes online modules and collaborative roundtables.
“It offers independent schools strategic planning, professional learning and practical resources to teaching consent and respectful relationships including 30 age-appropriate consent animations for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
“It was co-designed with schools and developed in partnership with leading experts and harnesses forward-thinking solutions to deliver engaging, accessible learning that aligns with curriculum priorities and effective practice.”
The NSW Independent schools’ sector has also drawn global attention for its innovative approach to nurturing early career teachers by also winning Platinum in the EdTech Mentoring Online category of the LearnX Awards.
Evans told EducationHQ in December that the honour is fitting acknowledgement of a program that is harnessing online learning to support education trainees and mentor teachers and to facilitate face-to-face networking, webinars, and school visits.
“Mentoring is an investment in the future of schooling; when early career teachers feel supported, they are more likely to thrive, remain in the profession, and contribute meaningfully to student learning outcomes,” Evans explains.
“Initiatives such as our Teaching School Hub and Early Career Experience exemplify how targeted support strengthens the workforce and ensures continuity of high standards in education.”
Evans said Independent Schools NSW awards success are testament to its leadership in education and its dedication to building a future where every student feels safe, valued and respected.
NSW’s 430 independent schools educate 245,452 students, or almost 20 per vcent of the state’s students.
