Educator notes

Adolescence is the period of time from the onset of puberty until adulthood. Changes in hormones, physical growth and emotional growth can impact relationships inside and outside of school.

Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) are viruses that are passed on if the blood of a person who has the virus gets into another person's bloodstream, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.  

Body art is a popular form of artistic and self-expression. Safe tattooing and body piercing practices prevent BBVs.

During puberty (starting as early as 8 years old), young people become more body aware with more pressure to confirm to the 'ideal'. It is vital that young people learn to critically analyse body messaging they receive from media and online.

Consent education begins with bodily autonomy, communicating and recognising feelings. Sexual consent is about getting a clear 'yes' for each sexual activity. 

Cyberbullying is often underreported as young people fear having devices taken from them. There are signs of cyberbullying to look out for and lots of ways to support students who are affected. 

Cyberstalking is when a person is stalked or harassed by another person online. Behaviours can include interacting with every social media post, constant, crytic and/or intrusive messaging, sexual innuendo, and threats. 

There are many days of celebration and remembrance related to relationships and sexuality and ways that these days can be incorporated into your school culture and curriculum.

It is important for teachers to recognise the diversity in gender identity and expression in the classroom and ensure that all students have a safe space to learn.

Gender roles are learned and male/female stereotypes can be damaging because they limit our full potential. Modelling gender equity, respectful relationships and challenging stereotypes and discriminating behaviour is vital in schools. 

HPV causes most cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine is administered for free in year 7.

HIV is a blood-borne virus that weakens a person’s immune system. There are highly effective treatments that allow people to attain an undetectable viral load which means that there is no risk of passing on HIV.

People with intersex variations have innate sex characteristics that don’t fit medical and social norms for female or male bodies. 

The menstrual cycle is the process in which a body releases an egg for a potential pregnancy. This cycle is also why people have periods (bleeds) roughly once-a-month. 

Porn is becoming more easily accessible to young people. It is important young people understand what happens in porn is not realistic to sex, relationships or consent in real life. 

There are many stages to pregnancy, from conception through to birth. It is important for young people to understand how a pregnancy starts and grows over time. 

Protective behaviours education provides children the skills to identify unsafe situations, strategies to keep themselves safe and seek help. 

Puberty is a time when the body changes from child into an adult. These changes are emotional, social and physical. 

Puberty brings about a lot changes, and it is important young people have the knowledge to look after themselves and their body. 

The names and functions of the female reproductive system. 

The names and functions of the male reproductive system

 It is important that all relationships we have are mutually respectful.  Respect is about showing that you value other people through words and actions. 

Safer sex refers to implementing practices or methods to prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy or transmission of STIs. 

There have been updates to the school-based immunisation program. This is important information so young poeple can understand the importance of immunisations. 

Alcohol and drug use can impact people's ability to make decisions, particularly related to sex and sexual activities. 

There are laws in Australia and Western Australia regarding sexual activity or behaviour to protect the exploitable of young people. This information is intended as an overview of these laws. 

Sexting refers to the taking, sending, sharing, receiving, and posting of sexually suggestive and sexually explicit images. Sometimes referred to as "sending nudes" or "dick pics". 

It is important to emphasise the benefits of delaying first sexual activity whilst providing knowledge, skills and values to make informed healthy decisions if/when young people become sexually active. 

Sexual orientation refers to have someone's level of romantic and sexual attraction to others.

Preventing STIs and BBVs is important to protect the health of individuals and the wider community. Understanding what STIs and BBVs and how they are passed on is important information to provide young people who are sexually active or considering sexual activity. 

There are many reasons why a teenager may become pregnant. It is important to understand the options available in WA, particularly as the Abortion legislation changed in 2024.