Dear Parents/Guardians,
As part of our Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum delivery we have invited an external trained facilitator to deliver Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Workshops to 6th and 5th class pupils. The 6th Class workshop is a three-hour long programme delivered over one school day { 09.30 – 12.30 }.
The programme complements the SPHE curriculum.
The aims of the workshop are to:
- give clear accurate information about the changes that take place for 6th class pupils at a personal, intellectual, emotional and physical level
- assist the pupils in building and maintaining healthy relationships
- help pupils develop a healthy and positive attitude towards their own emerging sexuality and also to that of their fellow human beings
- help pupils question what they see around them, and discern good from bad choices
The objectives of the workshop are that pupils:
- will receive clear, easily understood information on aspects of growing up
- will feel more comfortable about their approaching adolescence
- will have necessary age appropriate facts
- will have a deeper understanding of their uniqueness and self worth
The content of the workshop:
The 6th Class programme is divided into three one-hour modules. The 5th Class Programme is 2 hrs 15 minutes in duration so, has less content and does not cover Conception or Childbirth.
1st Module: Introduces the children to the many different changes that naturally take place as they grow i.e. at a personal, intellectual, physical and emotional level. It focuses on and explains the journey from childhood to adulthood and the intellectual changes that take place.
2nd Module: Examines the pressures that children can experience at this point in their development. They are encouraged, in a small group exercise, to express what they are concerned about and what they are looking forward to as they become teenagers. Topics like building friendships, being responsible, bullying, peer pressure, consent and self-confidence are explored.
3rd Module: Physical changes are discussed and conception and childbirth explained.
The pupils are given an opportunity to reflect on the day and ask questions. They get the opportunity to write questions, which may allow quieter/shyer pupils to put forward a question they may find difficult to ask.
It is anticipated that 6th and 5th class pupils will have a better awareness and understanding of their own sexuality having experienced the workshop, thus facilitating a positive attitude towards their development and fostering their ability to form healthy relationships.
In addition there is also a parent workshop. This is also facilitated by Margaret McInerney from Living and Life Training and this will take place on Tuesday February 5th at 7pm via zoom. This workshop will allow parents to see the content of the pupil workshops and will also provide a very valuable opportunity to ask any questions that you may have. A link to this zoom meeting will be forwarded closer to the date.
Each pupil is required to bring in 10 euro to help cover the cost of this very worthwhile workshop. This will also cover the cost of the parent workshop. Please give this money to your class teacher at your earliest convenience.
Kindest Regards
C. Hayes