Year 5/6 Bulletin
Body Safety :
Over the past three weeks, students have been participating in a body safety program designed to help them recognise their rights and develop confidence in expressing their feelings. The program empowers students to communicate assertively when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
This week, students continued exploring the concept of the consent continuum, learning to identify different levels of comfort and respect in interactions. They also discussed who the safe and trusted adults in their lives are, and how these individuals can support them if they ever need help or guidance.
Whole:
Although students had previously explored the consent continuum, this week Charlotte, our program instructor, revisited the concept by guiding students through practical examples of situations where someone might try to persuade, pressure, or coerce them into doing something uncomfortable. Using three age-appropriate scenarios; watching a scary movie, attending a sleepover, and being asked for a piggyback ride, students wrote examples of this kind of pressure and identified possible responses. Together, we discussed how to use assertive communication to respond in these situations and who students can turn to for support if they feel unsure or unable to speak up in the moment.
Small:
This lead into a discussion about who can support you in these uncomfortable moments. Students then reflected on the trusted adults in their lives; those they would feel comfortable turning to if they ever felt worried or unsafe. Each student created a list of five “Safe Adults” and then designed personalised “Safe Adult” tags, decorating them to represent each person in a meaningful way. This activity encouraged students to recognise their support networks and understand the importance of seeking help when needed.
Whole:
To conclude the lesson, the students shared who their safe people were with each other. A common thread we found that connected the different people they chose was that the students felt they would be listened to by these adults if they were to raise an issue. Students have been sent home with these tags and some booklets with more information for parents and families.
Thank you for your continued support,
Jenny and Luca.