Monday, May 2025
Talk About It — Life Ed Queensland’s innovative relationships and sexual health education program — has been empowering young people since 2014. Over the past decade, more than 370,000 children have gained vital, age-appropriate knowledge to help them navigate puberty, relationships and identity. From understanding consent and adolescent body changes to exploring evolving friendships and the journey of human reproduction, Talk About It makes tricky conversations easier. Here educator Brad shares his experience delivering this impactful program in schools.
“Earlier this term, I had the pleasure of visiting one of our Gold Coast schools. This school is one of the few where the boys and girls are separated during puberty education sessions. This approach has both its benefits and drawbacks. One of the main cons is that best practice suggests it’s more effective when both boys and girls learn together, as it helps them develop a better understanding of each other. This, in turn, fosters empathy and respect. However, the benefit of separating the groups is that students tend to feel more comfortable asking questions and opening up about sensitive topics. And that brings me to the story I’d like to share.
I was with a small group of about 15 Year 6 boys for a puberty session. As part of the Thriving in Puberty module, I showed them the menstruation video. Afterwards, I asked them, “Why do you think I showed you a video about menstruation when it’s a change that only females experience?” Normally, I’d get the usual responses like, Ïn case I get married or have a daughter when I’m older,”or “So we can understand what girls through.” But this time something remarkable happened. It led to an incredibly emotional, empathetic and respectful conversation, all led by the boys themselves.
One of the boys kicked things off by saying, “My mum talked to me a little about this, but I had no idea she goes through all these symptoms every month. Wow, we get off really easy.” His words struck a chord with others. Another boy, clearly in shock, asked, “Do you think some of the girls in Year 6 might be going through this already?” And then another added, “I’ve always wondered why my older sister gets so emotional sometimes. Now I get it.”
One of the boys summed it all up by saying, Ï feel so sorry for any girl who has to go through this every month.” The empathy in the room was palpable.
“There were many more heartfelt comments, but what stood out the most was the depth of understanding and respect they began to show. It was truly a heart-warming experience for their teacher and me. We were witnessing something important – these boys were gaining a new perspective on what it means to be considerate and respectful of others, particularly women.”
This moment underscored just how vital this type of education is. It’s not just about learning the facts of puberty but about building the foundations for respectful relationships in adulthood. By teaching young people about the physical and emotional changes others go through, we can help them develop the empathy and understanding that are essential for forming healthy, respectful relationships later in life.”
