Year 11 Health

In an eye-opening educational experience, our Year 11 students recently participated in the "Reality Babies" program—a hands-on experience designed to teach responsibility, empathy and the challenges of parenthood. This initiative aims to give students a taste of the responsibilities and real-life skills required for parenting, complimenting the ‘responsible parenthood’ and ‘lifespan development’ content covered in Unit 2. 

The health department was tremendously excited at the arrival of three new babies, (total of five babies) to enable students from all three health classes the opportunity to engage in the program. 

For approximately 16 hours, students were assigned a "Reality Baby," a lifelike baby doll equipped with technology that simulates the needs of an infant. These babies cried, needed feeding, burping and required nappy changes, mirroring the demands of a real child. Students had to manage their time effectively, balance their schoolwork with baby care and navigate the challenges of this new responsibility.

Staff have noticed some very tired eyes from students being kept up during the small hours of the morning, when returning their babies. Despite this, feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with students reflecting on the experience as both challenging and enlightening. 

As a school community, we are proud of our Year 11 students for embracing this challenging experience with enthusiasm and dedication. The Reality Babies program has proven to be a valuable educational tool, offering insights into real-world responsibilities while promoting personal growth and empathy.

Phoebe Kerry 

HAPE Development