R ELATIONSHIPS AND S EXUALITY E DUCATION (RSE) Parent/Guardian Information Evening RSE Training Support Service for Schools Drumcondra Education Centre Ph: htttp://

A IM FOR TONIGHT To provide information on the Relationships and Sexuality Education programme in primary schools

H OW IT ALL BEGAN … Report of the Expert Advisory Group on RSE Department of Education and Science developed a curriculum and teaching materials In-service for primary and post- primary teachers Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum implemented in schools

W HAT IS R ELATIONSHIPS AND S EXUALITY E DUCATION ? 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 S OCIAL, P ERSONAL AND H EALTH E DUCATION Myself Developing self-confidence Knowing about my body As I grow I change New life Feelings and emotions Personal safety Myself and Others Myself and my family My friends and other people Relating to others

Myself Self identity  Self-awareness  Developing self-confidence  Making decisions (Infants-2 nd ) Taking care of my body  Health and well-being  Knowing about my body  Food and nutrition Growing and changing  As I grow I change  New life  Feelings and emotions Safety and protection  Personal safety  Safety issues Making decisions (3 rd -6 th )

Myself and Others Myself and my family My friends and other people Relating to others  Communicating  Resolving conflict

Myself and the wider world Developing citizenship  My school community  Living in the local community  National, European and wider communities  Environmental care Media Education

T HE AIMS OF RSE ARE …  To enhance the personal development, self- esteem and well being of the child  To help the child to develop healthy friendships and relationships  To promote an understanding of and a healthy attitude towards human sexuality and relationships  To enable the child to understand and have respect for, human love, sexual intercourse and reproduction

T HE AIMS OF RSE…. To develop and promote in the child a sense of wonder and awe at the process of birth and new life To enable the child to be comfortable with the sexuality of him/herself and others while growing and developing

W HY TEACH RSE? Physical maturation of children Media influences Changing role of men and women in society Pressures of family life

H OW IS RSE INCLUDED IN THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM ? … caught  School/ classroom climate and atmosphere …and taught  During the half hour a week for SPHE  integrated with other subjects such as religion, language,

W HAT IS TAUGHT... AND HOW ? Infants Develop an awareness of human birth Naming parts of male/female body - using appropriate terms Learning about the various things the body can do

W HAT IS TAUGHT … AND HOW ? 1 st - 2 nd Spiral curriculum, building on foundation and revisited as age and stage appropriate Develop and practise basic hygiene skills Appreciate what is necessary in order to provide and care for new-born babies in both the animal and human world

W HAT IS TAUGHT … AND HOW ? 3 rd - 4 th Understand the changes taking place in both the male and female body Understand the relationship between health and hygiene Recognise the negative effects of sexual stereotyping…

3 RD – 4 TH CONTD. Recognise and discuss how feelings and emotions are affected by the physical changes taking place at puberty Discuss the stages of development of the human baby, from conception to birth Identify the care that needs to be taken while waiting for a baby to be born

W HAT IS TAUGHT … AND HOW ? 5 th – 6 th 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 Understand the reproductive system of both male and female adults

5 th – 6 th contd. Become aware of diseases and explore how diseases and infections are spread Understand sexual intercourse, conception and birth with the context of a committed loving relationship 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 Age-appropriate information Multi-class situations Should boys and girls be taught together Parental right to opt their child out of the lessons on the sensitive issues Setting limits when answering questions

P OLICY - WHAT ? Discussion between staff/parents and Board of Management (BoM) Drafting of a set of guidelines on practical and moral issues Draft documents to be sent to all members of the school community for comment Final document to be agreed and ratified by the BoM

P OLICY - WHY ? All have been consulted /informed Clear agreed guidelines exist These provide a moral and values framework Creates a safe environment for students and their parents

H OW CAN PARENTS SUPPORT THE SCHOOL ? Drawing up of school policy Look out for resources on RSE Classroom materials /Home Links Page Home culture Parents’ Association

R ESOURCES FOR RSE INFORMATION ON ALL ASPECTS OF RSE, INCLUDING RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, ARE AVAILABLE FROM: PROGRAMMES RSE

F INALLY … What have you found useful this evening? Any questions?