Professional learning and support – sexuality and sexual health education
Professional learning materials to enhance your understanding of the NSW PDHPE K–10 Syllabus and effective delivery of sexuality and sexual health education.
Department courses
- PDHPE K–10 syllabus implementation professional learning courses and materials – select from the online self-paced learning modules that best meet your professional learning needs. Modules focus on different aspects of the PDHPE K–10 Syllabus and quality teaching, learning and assessment.
- Positioning and continuum activities – learn how to deliver positioning and continuum activities effectively. The course addresses key messages and considerations for your classroom.
- Answering challenging questions assists you with answering challenging questions that you may get asked by students either in the classroom or in the playground.
Parents, carers and communities
A large proportion of the community supports comprehensive sexuality education in schools. Watch these videos to learn more and consider how schools can partner with families to support students.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (11 November 2014), What parents say about sexuality education [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 November 2022.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (10 November 2014), Parents and carers talk about sexuality education [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 November 2022.
Catering for cultural and religious diversity
The following videos discuss concepts and information relevant to a 7 to 12 setting, however K to 6 teachers may also view them to learn more about cultural and religious diversity and how you can encompass and cater for this diversity in your classroom.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (11 November 2014), Teaching strategies to support cultural diversity in the classroom [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (7 November 2014), Cultural diversity in the classroom The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (7 November 2014), Culturally diverse families The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (7 November 2014), Cultural and religious differences in sexuality education The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.
More information and support for your local context
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are culturally and linguistically diverse and this should be reflected in the delivery of sexuality and sexual health education programs.
Contact the Aboriginal Outcomes and Partnerships team or your local NSW Aboriginal Educative Consultative Group (AECG) to access support for your local context.
Schools may also use the following documents as a guide to using appropriate terminology and how to work with Aboriginal communities.
- Centre for Aboriginal Health 1 July 2019, Communicating positively: a guide to appropriate Aboriginal terminology NSW Health accessed 6 September 2021. It should be noted that the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) preferred terminology is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
- Metro-North Mental Health – Alcohol and Drug Service 13 September 2018 Communicating effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Queensland Health accessed 6 September 2021
Watch these videos:
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (11 November 2014), Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021. This video discusses concepts and information relevant to K to 12 education settings.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (7 November 2014), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and community [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021. This video discusses some concepts and information relevant to a 7 to 12 education setting, however, K to 6 teachers may also view them to learn more about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Consider:
- What are some of the key issues to consider when teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students?
- How can we determine what strategies may be most appropriate in any one community?
For more information contact the Aboriginal education strategic delivery team within the Quality Teaching and Impact Directorate.
Considerations for rural contexts
Sexuality education in the rural context [video] 7:48 discusses some concepts and information relevant to a 7 to 12 education setting, however, K to 6 teachers may learn more about the issues and challenges for young people in rural contexts and consider any implications for your sexuality education programs.
Students with a disability
These videos discuss some concepts and information relevant to a 7 to 12 education setting, however K to 6 teachers may also view them to learn more about differentiating your programs and being inclusive of the needs of students with a disability in your sexuality education programs.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (7 November 2014), Disability, sexuality and relationships [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (10 November 2014), Students with an intellectual disability [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.
- Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health (10 November 2014), Students with a disability [video] The University of Melbourne, YouTube, Accessed 2 September 2021.