This week our Year 5 and 6 students participated in ‘Let’s Talk About It - Puberty’ sessions delivered through Life Education. The Australian Curriculum Health Learning Area explores content to promote health, safety, and wellbeing - all of which are associated with puberty. Government Health Agencies are recommending parents/carers to talk to their children about our bodies from birth, puberty, and respectful relationships (in an age appropriate way). “Gone are the days of the one-off ‘birds and the bees’ lecture. Good communication is lots of conversations, sharing ideas, experiences and questions.” (WA Health). 

Raising Children (the Australian Parenting Website) has information about ‘Sex Education and Talking with Children about Sex: 0-8 Years’ 

Another helpful document is the ‘Top Tips for Talking about Sex from Talk soon: Talk often: A guide for Parents Talking to their kids about Sex.’ Furthermore, the Department of Health, in partnership with an Aboriginal Advisory Group, has made Yarning Quiet Ways for all Aboriginal mums, dads and carers who want to help their kids have strong, safe and healthy relationships. 

At school some of the ways we address relationships, sexuality, and other health concepts include: 

• Prep students name parts of the body and describe how their body is growing and changing
• Year 1 and 2 students practise strategies they can use when they feel uncomfortable, unsafe or need help with a task, problem or situation
• Year 3 and 4 students explore how success, challenge, and failure strengthen identities. They also explore strategies to manage physical, social and emotional changes. 
• Year 5 and 6 investigate resources and strategies to manage changes and transitions associated with puberty 

We are proud of Year 5 and 6 students for having a mature conversation about puberty and the changes in their bodies, and we thank parents for your support in having continuing conversations at home. 

Yours in Learning, 

Aleesha Rockemer

(Learning and Teaching Adviser)