In a crowded curriculum, and with limited time to focus on the many aspects of child and adolescent health, schools tell us Life Ed’s holistic approach to health, safety and wellbeing is a vital part of their learning program.
Life Ed Queensland Program Delivery Manager, Sue Osmond, says teachers, families and school communities are facing increasing pressures to equip young people with the tools they need to make informed, safe and healthy choices.
“The feedback we receive from teachers, principals and parents reaffirms the difference our programs are making in the school communities where we work,” Ms Osmond said.
“In some schools, we’ve had longstanding partnerships and have been able to make an even greater impact by offering multiple opportunities for children to engage with Life Ed via a range of our programs: the Healthy Harold program, Talk About It and Healthy Eats. We’re also piloting the teacher-led Harold’s Kind Classrooms program,” Ms Osmond said.
We launched two new modules, both tailored to Years 3 and 4: Friends and Feelings and The Inside Story.
Friends and Feelings covers important social and emotional learning – and with teachers rating respectful relationships education as a high priority – the module has been in-demand at schools across Queensland.
Friends and Feelings helps children to recognise, regulate and manage emotions; practise assertive communication skills; identify how feelings, values and thoughts influence decision-making; and identify the importance of diversity, respect and empathy.
The Inside Story has also been popular with students. A fun, interactive lesson set in a children’s TV news program, it sees a team of innovative young scientists shrink Healthy Harold and place him inside a tiny capsule. Harold is then able to travel inside the body of young journalist, Max Questions, reporting back on how the various body systems work. Utilising engaging audio-visual resources, the module explains why healthy food, physical activity and sleep are vital to support the healthy functioning of the body.
With the rapid rise in vaping presenting a new health risk to young people, we’ve updated our nicotine and tobacco education to include a new national vaping module for Years 5 and 6. Take a Breath uses a peer-to-peer education approach and will encourage young people to develop critical thinking skills and awareness about the social influences and serious health risks of vaping. Take a Breath will be launched in schools in 2024.
We welcomed experienced new educators: Mia, in Gladstone; Fiona (Central Queensland); Bonnie (Mackay); Rhiannon (Townsville); and Melanie (Sunshine Coast).
Along with ongoing program professional development, a number of educators attended key conferences and courses including mental health first aid training, first aid training, peer skills training with Lifeline, the Relationships and Sexuality in Schools Conference and the Mental Health in Schools Conference, (both hosted by Propsych); and the Wings to Fly Pathways to Resilience course on social and emotional wellbeing in the early years.
