Page 2505 - Week 07 - Monday, 15 August 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Ms Berry: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) All ACT schools implement the Australian Curriculum and are responsible for implementing the Health and Physical Education (HPE) learning area of the Australian Curriculum in years P – 10.
This area of the curriculum provides students with opportunities to learn how to access, evaluate and synthesise information and take positive action to protect, enhance and advocate for their own and others’ health, wellbeing and safety.
Alcohol and drug content in the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education is covered from Foundation to Year 10 where students explore the impact drugs can have on individuals, families, and communities. The ‘Alcohol and other drugs’ focus area addresses a range of drugs, including prescription drugs, bush and alternative medicines, energy drinks, caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, illegal drugs, and performance-enhancing drugs. The content supports students to explore the impact drugs can have on individuals, families, and communities. In Foundation (Kindergarten) to year two only medicines are covered. Further information about the Australian Curriculum is available on the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority website (https://www.acara.edu.au/).
Early Childhood settings are guided by Belonging, Being and Becoming the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.
(2) The Directorate supports teachers to understand and implement the Australian Curriculum but does not provide explicit training to teachers about teaching drug and alcohol education.
(3) In addition to the Australian Curriculum, there are a range of resources and support agencies who provide teachers information to support alcohol and drug education in ACT schools.
The Directorate does not keep centralised data on additional resources or programs used by schools. Schools make decisions about the resources selected to suit the needs of their students and school communities.
(4) All ACT schools implement the Australian Curriculum. All ACT Public schools are responsible for implementing the Health and Physical Education (HPE) learning area of the Australian Curriculum in years P – 10.
ACT public schools use the Australian Curriculum to plan for and guide students’ development in line with the HPE focus area: Relationships and Sexuality. This content supports students to develop age-appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills to establish and manage respectful relationships. It also supports students to develop positive practices in relation to their reproductive and sexual health.
The Australian Curriculum expects all students, at appropriate intervals across the continuum of learning from years three to ten, will learn about practices that support reproductive and sexual health, including contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses.
Content is age-appropriate, inclusive, and designed to meet the needs of all students. Schools also work closely with students’ parents/carers to engage them and ensure learning programs are sensitive to families’ cultural and religious beliefs and preferences.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video