Date
16 March 2024

​Support and resource sexuality and gender education

Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes’

Align policies to sexuality education guidelines

Align policies to sexuality education guidelines

Sexuality education encourages students to explore their own values, develop communication skills, and nurture a positive view of their own bodies and sexuality.

Identify areas for discussion

Identify areas for discussion

Create opportunities for students to investigate and explore:

  • healthy relationships in multiple contexts
  • expressing feelings and emotions
  • supporting the wellbeing of friends and peers
  • communication
  • questioning messages related to gender, sexuality, and diversity
  • identity and beliefs
  • rights and responsibilities
  • future dreams and goals
  • physical and emotional development
  • sexual and gender diversity
  • human reproduction
  • human rights
  • consent
  • choice and agency in relationships
  • access to support and health care
  • questioning and discussing gender and sexual stereotypes and norms, i.e. heteronormativity (assumptions of a monosexual heterosexual society)
  • risks and issues in online and social media environments.

Offer as a subject option at all levels

Offer as a subject option at all levels

Develop a school-wide, shared approach when considering how sexuality can be taught across and within a range of subject areas.

To support gender and sexuality diverse students, ensure that health is a subject option at all levels in the school, especially at senior levels when relationships are more likely.

It is recommended that all students engage in sexuality education in years 11-13. This should not be limited to students completing NCEA courses and standards in health education.

Source: Relationships and sexuality education: A guide for teachers, leaders, and boards of trustees (opens in a new tab/window)

Review current approach

Review current approach

Common characteristics of successful sexuality education programmes include:

  • respect for the diverse values and beliefs of students and of the community
  • recognition of the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of sexuality
  • inclusion of students’ perspectives and requests
  • regular planning and review of sexuality programmes
  • consultation with students about content and approach
  • up-to-date resources that are appropriate and modified to meet the needs of students
  • committed, confident teachers who are provided with LGBTIQA+ professional development opportunities
  • respect for different cultural perspectives
  • the use of assessment data, including student self-assessment, to review programme implementation
  • an environment where students feel safe to ask questions
  • an environment where there is a good rapport between teachers and students
  • a strong culture of school-wide respect
  • access to effective support networks for students.

Source: Health and Physical Education Online (opens in a new tab/window)

Useful resources

Useful resources

Website

Affirming diversity

A practical guide for teachers and other workers with youth to support them in creating safer environments for same-sex attracted and transgender young people.

Publisher: New Zealand Family Planning

Price: One off charge $40.00

Visit website

Website

Sexuality education: Information for parents, families, and whānau

Read time: 4 min

This pamphlet summarises key points about current sexuality education in New Zealand schools.

Visit website

Next steps

More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes”:

Return to the guide “Supporting LGBTIQA+ students”

Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTIQA+ students

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