Annual Report 2018 ANNUAL REPORT 2018 single page | Page 28

26 INCREASED KNOWLEDGE OF PUBERTY = DEVELOPMENT OF SKILLS NEEDED FOR A HEALTHY LIFE We are developing the knowledge, attitudes, values and skills children need to live a healthy life through education programs and resources. Thank you for such an informative, inspiring and entertaining presentation of the somewhat sensitive and ‘awkward’ topics of Where did I come from? and Preparing for Puberty. I have received such an overwhelming positive response from the talks and also from Leesha’s ability as a presenter. – MWP&C, Vice President At the turn of the 20 th century, the average age for a girl to get her period was 16 to 17. Today that number has plummeted to a mean age of 12.5, with girls as young as seven starting to develop breasts and the growth spurt kicking in around 10. Similarly, boys are reaching puberty about four years earlier, around the age of 13. INCREASED ATMOSPHERE OF RESPECT = REDUCED RISK OF CHILDHOOD BULLYING We are promoting an atmosphere of mutual respect and identifying strategies for managing bullying behaviour through awareness initiatives, classroom programs and online platforms for children, parents and schools. 1 in 5 young Australians aged 8 to 17 years experience cyberbullying each year, with children who were frequently bullied at an increased risk of depression, anxiety disorders and suicidal thoughts. The student had not long transferred from another school in the region, and was experiencing low self-esteem and confidence. It was such a turning point for the student receiving the news last year that she had won a prize, the whole school supported her in congratulating her. We can see how far she has come since then with her self-esteem and confidence. – Say No To Bullying Poster Competition, 2016 Jason has a family member who is always cuddling him, even when he doesn’t want it. Jason undertakes the Body Basics, Body Safety and Feeling Safe classroom programs at various intervals in his primary school between Years 1-6. Jason learns about body safety 1 Learns his rights and how to say 2 no to unwanted actions More likely to report behaviour to trusted adults 3 Less likely to experience child sexual abuse 4