Relationships and Sexuality Education
Learning about Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) is an aspect of the Health and Physical
Education in The New Zealand Curriculum (NZC). Learning in this area aims to develop students (akonga)
understanding about themselves, and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to think about and
engage in positive and healthy relationships. It includes:
Learning about self (physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually)
Gaining knowledge and skills for meaningful and supportive relationships with others
Learning about social, cultural, and environmental contexts.
It is important to note that Sex education and Sexuality are different. Relationships and Sexuality education has a more holistic approach to education as defined by the Hauora model used in the Health Curriculum. The Ministry of Eduation, Te Tāhuhu o te mātauranga have provided an accessible guide to suppport the delivery of RSE here.
RSE for Community 2023.mp4This short video explores some of the background behind Relationships and Sexuality Education and the ethos behind it.
This video touches on the 'why' behind this curriculum addition from 2020.
Relationships and Sexuality Education is underpinned and informed through the Health curriculum concepts of:
This concept includes the four dimensions of the Whare Tapa Wha/Māori Health model
Taha tinana, (physical well-being),
Taha whanau, (Relationships with family, extended family, friends, colleagues, community)
Taha hinengaro, (mental and emotional wellbeing)
Taha wairua, (relationship with the environment, people, and heritage in the past, present, and future)
All of Whare Tapa Wha dimensions can relate to and affect people’s wellbeing in terms of relationships, gender, and sexuality,
Health promotion
developing positive school wide plans of action in terms of building and sustaining positive relationships.
Socio-ecological
examining social and cultural influences that shape the ways in which people learn about relationships, considering how various cultures may have different views to share.
Attitudes and Values:
students develop respect for each other’s rights and a sense of social justice
In early 2022 our staff undertook wider professional learning and development around RSE. It was an opportunity to explore the content and begin to think about what it might look like at different year groups.
RSE deals with deep issues around children's understanding of consent, the human body, formation of powerful relationships, interpersonal skills and understanding their own wellbeing and that of others.
Below is an embedded copy of our current Relationships and Sexuality Education Statement. This document is reviewed annually and where necessary, the community is invited to contribute. A process of community consultation and focus groups was undertaken to create this document in 2021.
At the beginning of 2022, our staff undertook professional development to support their understanding and delivery 0f Relationships and Sexuality Education. This new learning helped show the boundaries within chronological areas and begin to understand the concept of consent in multiple contexts.