Background notes on relationships and sexual health education topics
Background teacher notes
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Adolescent relationships
Background information about adolescents' relationships with their families and peers. Includes related site resources and other recommended links.
BBV related risks: Needles and syringes
Improperly using and discarding needles and syringes can increase the risk of transmitting blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis.
Body art: tattoos and piercings
Body art is a popular form of artistic expression but there is a risk of infection from a blood-borne virus (BBV) if not carried out properly.
Body image
Body image is a major personal concern for young Australian males and females. Media and advertising has a powerful effect on contributing to a negative body image amongst adolescents.
Co-ed or gender segregated lessons?
Many teachers wonder if it is best to split their classes by gender for relationships and sexuality lessons. There are pros and cons to be considered for both.
Cultural considerations when teaching Aboriginal students
Delivering culturally appropriate sexual health and relationships education to Aboriginal students.
Delayed sexual intercourse (abstinence) and safer sex
The issue of abstaining or delaying 'having sex' is an important component of relationships and sexual health education, and a highly relevant consideration for students. A major aim of school sexuality education is to provide students with the information and skills needed to make informed decisions and one of the most important decisions older students will make is whether or not to commence having sexual intercourse.
Gender diversity
Teachers need to be aware of gender diversity and ensure that relationships and sexual health lessons cater for all students.
Health Promoting Schools Framework
A health promoting school is one that considers the broad health needs of all school community members and constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working.
HIV and AIDS
HIV is an infection that attacks the immune system. Once HIV has reduced the function of the immune system to a particular level, a person living with HIV is considered to have developed AIDS.
HPV vaccine - information for parents/teachers
Information for parents and teachers on the human pappilomavirus vaccine which is administered to students in Year 7.
Intersex variations
Teachers need to be aware of potential diversity in their classrooms and ensure that relationships and sexuality education lessons cater for all students.
Menstrual cycle
For people with a uterus and ovaries, the menstrual cycle is a series of changes the body goes through in preparation for possible pregnancy.
Porn: Young people and the accessibility and influence of pornography
The exposure of young people to pornography is a concern due to its impact on attitudes, beliefs and behaviours with regards to sex, relationships and gender roles.
Pregnancy and birth: A brief overview of biology and physiology
Background information on becoming pregnant and the process of labour and giving birth.
Pregnancy and young people
An overview of teenage pregnancy and related risk behaviour, including relevant statistics.
Protective behaviours education
Protective behaviours education focuses on developing personal safety skills that can be used by children and young people to keep them safe, and ultimately prevent abuse and reduce violence in the community.
Puberty
Puberty is the transition period that takes a person from being a sexually immature child to a sexually mature adult.
Puberty - taking care of your body during puberty
Personal hygiene and keeping healthy during puberty
Respectful relationships
'Respectful relationships' background note includes information about gender and power and positive relationships.
Safer sex and contraception
Research clearly demonstrates that many secondary students are thinking about, or have already experienced, sexual intercourse and therefore knowledge of safe sex practices must also be an important component of relationships education in schools.
Sex and alcohol & other drugs
Alcohol and drug use by adolescents increases the likelihood of engaging in risk-taking behaviours such as having unprotected sex.
Sexting
Sexting is defined as sharing explicit images, messages, or videos via the internet or mobile phones; a combination of the words ‘sex’ and ‘texting’.
Sexual identity and behaviour
Sexual orientation refers to a person's physical and emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. Schools have a responsibility to provide a supportive environment for all students regardless of their sexual orientation or identity.
Social media: Cyberbullying
Provides a full outline of cyberbullying, its consequences and how to respond.
Social media: Cyberstalking
When a person is stalked or harassed by another person using a service of the internet such as email, instant messaging or via a posting in a discussion group; they are being cyberstalked.