Transcript Relationships and sexuality

RELATIONSHIPS AND
SEXUALITY EDUCATION
(RSE)
Parent/Guardian
Information Evening
RSE Training Support Service for Schools
Drumcondra Education Centre
Ph: +535 1 8576431
htttp://www.ecdrumcondra.ie
AIM FOR TONIGHT
 To
provide information on
the Relationships and
Sexuality Education
programme in primary
schools
HOW IT ALL BEGAN…
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1995 - Report of the Expert Advisory Group
on RSE
Department of Education and Science
developed a curriculum and teaching
materials
1996 - In-service for primary and postprimary teachers
2003 - Social, Personal and Health
Education (SPHE) curriculum implemented
in schools
WHAT IS RELATIONSHIPS AND
SEXUALITY EDUCATION?
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A life- long process
Learning to sustain healthy personal
relationships
Part of Social, Personal and Health
Education
Development of values, attitudes,
understanding and skills
RSE
PART OF SOCIAL, PERSONAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION
Myself
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Developing self-confidence
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Knowing about my body
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As I grow I change
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New life
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Feelings and emotions
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Personal safety
Myself and Others
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Myself and my family
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My friends and other
people
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Relating to others
THE AIMS OF RSE ARE…
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To enhance the personal development, selfesteem and well being of the child
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To help the child to develop healthy
friendships and relationships
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To promote an understanding of and a
healthy attitude towards human sexuality
and relationships
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To enable the child to understand and have
respect for, human love, sexual intercourse
and reproduction
THE AIMS OF RSE….
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To develop and promote in the child a sense of
wonder and awe at the process of birth and new
life
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To enable the child to be comfortable with the
sexuality of him/herself and others while growing
and developing
WHY TEACH RSE?
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Physical maturation of children
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Media influences
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Changing role of men and women in
society
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Pressures of family life
HOW IS RSE INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL
CURRICULUM?
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… caught
 School/ classroom climate and atmosphere
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…and taught
 During the half hour a week for SPHE
 integrated with other subjects such as religion,
language,
WHAT IS TAUGHT ... AND HOW?
Infants
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Develop an awareness of human birth
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Naming parts of male/female body - using
appropriate terms
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Learning about the various things the body can do
WHAT IS TAUGHT …AND HOW?
1st - 2nd
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Spiral curriculum, building on foundation and
revisited as age and stage appropriate
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Develop and practise basic hygiene skills
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Appreciate what is necessary in order to provide
and care for new-born babies in both the animal
and human world
WHAT IS TAUGHT … AND HOW?
3rd- 4th
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Understand the changes taking place in both the
male and female body
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Understand the relationship between health and
hygiene
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Recognise the negative effects of sexual
stereotyping…
3RD – 4TH CONTD.
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Recognise and discuss how feelings and emotions
are affected by the physical changes taking place
at puberty
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Discuss the stages of development of the human
baby, from conception to birth
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Identify the care that needs to be taken while
waiting for a baby to be born
WHAT IS TAUGHT …AND HOW?
5th – 6th
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Identify and discuss the physical and other
changes that occur in boys and girls with
the onset of puberty and understand that
these changes take place at different rates
for everyone
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Understand the reproductive system of
both male and female adults
5th – 6th contd.
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Become aware of diseases and explore how
diseases and infections are spread
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Understand sexual intercourse, conception and
birth with the context of a committed loving
relationship
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Discuss the different types of love that exist and
explore how love is portrayed and defined in
music, films, magazines and other media
ISSUES TO CONSIDER
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Age-appropriate information
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Multi-class situations
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Should boys and girls be taught
together
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Parental right to opt their child out of
the lessons on the sensitive issues
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Setting limits when answering questions
POLICY - WHAT?
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Discussion between staff/parents and Board
of Management (BoM)
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Drafting of a set of guidelines on practical and
moral issues
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Draft documents to be sent to all members of
the school community for comment
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Final document to be agreed and ratified by
the BoM
POLICY- WHY?
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All have been consulted /informed
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Clear agreed guidelines exist
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These provide a moral and values framework
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Creates a safe environment for students and
their parents
HOW CAN PARENTS SUPPORT THE
SCHOOL?
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Drawing up of school policy
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Look out for resources on RSE
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Classroom materials /Home Links Page
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Home culture
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Parents’ Association
RESOURCES FOR RSE
INFORMATION ON ALL ASPECTS OF RSE,
INCLUDING RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, ARE
AVAILABLE FROM:
WWW.ECDRUMCONDRA.IE
 PROGRAMMES
 RSE
FINALLY …
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What have you found useful this evening?
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Any questions?