Inside a school learning to stamp out misogyny in boys

"They'll speak to girls, women teachers differently than certain male teachers," a female primary school teacher tells her peers.

It's nearing the end of term three at a primary school in Melbourne's inner north and the colleagues engaged in the conversation are on the frontline of a new crisis.

A recent national survey reveals 78 per cent of teachers report observing or experiencing gendered violence in their schools.

In the past year, 70 per cent of them noticed the influence of online misogyny on student attitudes and behaviour, according to the Monash University research.

As children grab their school bags and head home for the day, a group of eight teachers gather around a table for a workshop with The Men's Project, run by Jesuit Social Services (JSS), to discuss how to overcome these issues.

The traits of a "stereotypical man" are read out - provider, protector, strong, a winner - everything keeping boys trapped inside a "man box".

"Nothing in this box is particularly bad, right? But it can be really hurtful in different contexts," JSS prevention educator Kirsty Giles says.

"To be strong and tough is a fantastic thing in the face of a challenge.

"Where it becomes hurtful is that there are young people that hold on to it so strongly, they can never ask for help."

The teachers are called on to be curious with boys and challenge misogynistic comments or behaviours but also avoid labelling these elements of masculinity as harmful.

"Saying 'strong and tough' isn't unique to boys," program manager Drew Hanger says.

Ms Giles gives the example of a teacher who always asks for a "strong boy" to help in class but is urged to ask for a strong girl instead and see what happens.

"Because, unconsciously at times, we all feel trapped in the box," she says.

The man box principle is not new but online attitudes from influencers spouting toxic masculinity, known as "the manosphere", are reinforcing outdated beliefs about what being a man is to younger audiences.