Focus schools

Aims

The Focus Schools Program builds on the success of the share Project (2003-2005) and aims to improve the sexual health, safety and wellbeing of young South Australians by supporting schools to develop a whole school approach to relationships and sexual health education.

Objectives and Outcomes

The targets for the Focus Schools program continue to be students, parents and families, teachers and school staff and school ethos/environment, with objectives of the program focusing on four domains:

For young people to:

• have increased knowledge and understanding about relationships, sex and sexual health
• have increased understanding of, and the ability to practise safety in all aspects of relationships with confidence
• know about and feel comfortable accessing a range of services and people for support
• have increased skills to enable them to establish and maintain respectful positive relationships
• develop positive attitudes and behaviour relating to sexual health, relationships (including sexual, cultural and physical diversity)

For parents and families to:

• have increased knowledge and understanding concerning relationships, sex and sexual health
• increase communication about sexual health issues between young people and their families

For school staff to:

• have increased knowledge and understanding about young people's relationships, sex and sexual health
• have increased competence and confidence to deliver the Relationships and Sexual Health program
• develop partnerships with the community in order to improve links with, and access for young people to, youth health and general health services
• develop positive attitudes and behaviour relating to sexual health and relationships

School environment:

• to ensure that schools have a commitment to addressing relationships and sexual health issues in the whole school environment
• to develop positive attitudes and behaviour that are inclusive and respectful of diversity

Information packs have been forwarded each year, since 2006, to DECS schools with a secondary component, inviting them to become a focus school in relationships and sexual health education. Expansion of the program in 2008 has enabled us to approach schools within regions which have high rates of school card holders, enrolment by Aboriginal and migrant/refugees and come from areas with indicators of relative socio-economic disadvantage and high teenage pregnancy rates to become involved in the Focus Schools Program. Schools that accept this offer do so with the endorsement of their Governing Councils and Principals.

SHine SA supports these focus schools in the following ways:

• support from the SHine SA Schools Coordinator in all aspects of implementation and project management
• free professional development for teachers and other members of the school community
• teacher resource manuals and supporting materials via the secure website
• a comprehensive curriculum for Years 8, 9 and 10
• curriculum resource pack and $300 towards other resources
• support in parent information sessions
• additional support as negotiated with the school

Focus Schools in turn commit to:

• implement the curriculum of 15 lessons in at least two year levels between Years 8-10
• develop a Student Health and Wellbeing Team
• identify a key teacher to coordinate the program within the school
• provide support for all relevant teaching staff, counsellors and other interested staff to attend 15 hours of professional development

SHine SA continues to support the 15 share schools and has accepted 57 additional focus schools within the metropolitan and country areas since 2006.

For further information or details on how to join the Focus Schools Program contact the Coordinator, Focus Schools Program on (08) 8300 5330 or helen.rawnsley@health.sa.gov.au

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