- • promote knowledge of and respect for reproduction. • promote knowledge of and respect for reproduction.
- • enable young people to develop attitudes and values towards their sexuality in a • enable young people to develop attitudes and values towards their sexuality in a moral, spiritual and social framework.

#### Objectives:

RSE should enable students to:

- • the understanding and skills necessary to form healthy friendships and • the understanding and skills necessary to form healthy friendships and relationships.
- • a positive sense of self awareness, and the skills for building and maintaining • a positive sense of self awareness, and the skills for building and maintaining self-esteem.
- • aware of the variety of ways in which individuals grow and change especially • aware of the variety of ways in which individuals grow and change especially during adolescence and to develop a respect for difference between individuals.
- • human physiology with particular reference to the reproductive cycle, • human physiology with particular reference to the reproductive cycle, human fertility and sexually transmitted infections.
- • sexual development and identity and explore aspects of sexuality including • sexual development and identity and explore aspects of sexuality including sex role stereotyping, gender issues and cultural influences on sexuality.
- • family life and appreciate the responsibilities of parenthood. • family life and appreciate the responsibilities of parenthood.
- • strategies for decisions and actions consistent with personal moral integrity • strategies for decisions and actions consistent with personal moral integrity and respectful of the rights and dignity of others.
- • skills for coping with peer pressure, conflict and threats to personal safety. • skills for coping with peer pressure, conflict and threats to personal safety.

### Key Measures

#### A. Provision of Training and Staff Development

• regarding the deployment of staff will be made by the Principal. Consideration • regarding the deployment of staff will be made by the Principal. Consideration will be given to gender balance. However, it would be preferable to consult with and timetable teachers who express an interest in teaching SPHE/RSE. All teachers involved in this work do not have to be “experts” on the issues concerned. However, they do require sensitivity to the needs of the group, an ability to deal with questions openly/honestly and preparedness to refer to more expert advice if necessary. The skills acquired in general teaching apply also to RSE. In service training for the teaching of RSE will be provided by the SPHE support service. • Staff will be encouraged to attend by the Principal. The appropriate teaching resources will be made available to staff subject to budget • constraints.

#### B. Inclusion of Parents/Guardians

• /Guardians are the primary educators of their children and their role in education • /Guardians are the primary educators of their children and their role in education concerning relationships and sexuality education is seen by the college as very important. Relevant sections of this RSE policy will be included in the Parent’s information pack on enrolment to the college, a letter regarding the policy and reference to the policy will be in the student journal. In Senior Cycle, a letter will be sent home at the beginning of the Module. The policy will be available to view on the school website