School - Respectful Relationships - Bullying, peer pressure, media pressure

[taziness]

Okay, it's a big one, but I could really use some input on this one. I see that there has been a little past discussion here about Safe Schools, and I am seeking some input from other parents about what their experiences around this might be. I'd like to keep this conversation open and going!

Personally I've found education and support on Relationships and Sex in schools dreadful up to date, and being in the next phase of it (secondary school) I am feeling very frustrated at what I am seeing of the outcomes and of the "improvements" that are being implemented across Australia - with almost no input it seems from parent bodies. There are all sorts of gaps and issues, including communicating with schools about such a "sensitive topic".

Any thoughts you'd like to share?

[Ngaio-RO]

Great post @taziness I'm keen to hear what other parents have to say.

I'm going to look into it and see what I can come back with. 

Please let me know if this is something you'd like to have a guest speaker run a discussion on.

[taziness]

Thanks Ngaio, I'm not sure what that means! Certainly I'd like to be hearing more on this and happy to leave this post here and see what others might have to say. It may not be the right forum but certainly happy for anyone to reachout on this issue (at any stage) as I aim to stay on it for some years to come!

Next week, I believe that Harmful effects of Pornography will be put up for discussion in parliament (again) so I am encouraging others to get in touch with their MPs for a start but certainly to also be having discussions with their own schools and families and communities.

[Sophi-RO]

Hey @taziness - I think she meant that aswell as having this discussion here in this thread, we could also invite a special guest to come and post here one evening (we run facilitated chats here from time to time!)

[Ngaio-RO]

@Sophi-RO is absolutely right @taziness, I was thinking we could get in a guest speaker on Safe Schools or similar.

Or, if you think the overarching issue of young people trying to understand their sexuality is what parents most want to discuss and learn about, then It might be a good idea get in someone who can speak to that.

Twenty10 work with young people aged 12-25 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, intersex, questioning, queer, asexual (LGBTIQA) people and others of diverse genders and sexualities, their families and communities. Unfortunately they are only able to provide services to people based in NSW but if we asked one of their educators to attend ReachOut Parents as a Special Guest they could answer questions and link parents to services across the country.

What do you think?