Welcome to Term 3 in Health! This term, students are embarking on an exciting educational journey focussing on personal growth, nutrition, and digital safety.  

Barbreck Junior Years: Prep to Year 4

This semester students from Prep to Year 4 are continuing to have fun discovering, exploring, and learning strategies to interact with others.  

Our Barbreck girls have delved into emotions and found how their thoughts and feelings can affect their behaviour. They have also learned that their bodies give them warning signs when they are feeling unsafe or uncomfortable. Understanding the difference between ‘having butterflies’ in my tummy and ‘feeling sick’ was something the younger years discovered.  

Role playing is a favourite way for many students to practise some of the strategies they are learning. The Preps explored how big their personal space bubble is with their friends and then with ‘pretend’ strangers.  

Year 1 students enjoyed role playing scenarios asking for permission from their peers. They had to use strategies showing that they could respectfully accept when they were given a ‘no’ response. They also demonstrated how they could be assertive without being aggressive when needing to stand firm on a ‘no’ response. This also meant they had to recognise that sometimes they have to accept that it’s inappropriate to say no, for example when their safety or health is the priority. 

Year 2 delved a little deeper into emotions and behaviour. They recognised people might have different emotional reactions to the same situation. Many were surprised to find that some of their peers reacted differently to them. Something exciting to them left others scared and nervous. Learning about empathy is an important part of Health and a School Value. 

Year 3 students discovered how challenging it must be for people who arrive from different countries to learn so many new things, like language, food, housing, culture etc. They did this by playing the ‘balloon game,’ where they attempted to keep multiple balloons in the air as long as they could. They continue to explore and discover the diversity amongst their peers and celebrate this cultural diversity by learning about what each student celebrates within their culture. We value learning to respect each other’s differences. 

Empathy and learning to understand why some people behave the way they do was one area some students in Year 4 found fascinating. Students recognised behaviours that were unacceptable from others. They identified the different areas where people could experience bullying; physical, social, verbal, or cyber. They also explored the different roles people may play in these situations, and what they can do if they experience such behaviour. 

Students will continue exploring strategies to use when interacting with others, including consent and body boundaries. They will then be exploring how they can make safe and healthy choices. 

Barbreck Senior Years: Years 5 and 6

As Term 2 concluded, both Year 5 and Year 6 students engaged in comprehensive learning about menstruation and the physical changes that females experience during the ages of 11 to 15. This Unit helped students understand the biological processes and develop empathy and respect for these natural changes. 

In Term 3, our Health curriculum will align with the Victorian Curriculum’s focus on personal and social capabilities. Year 5 students will embark on a journey of self-discovery, exploring their identities, values, and beliefs. This Unit aims to help students understand what makes them unique and the factors that influence their identity. They will engage in activities that promote self-reflection and discussions that encourage respect for diverse perspectives. 

Meanwhile, Year 6 students will dive into the topic of food and nutrition. They will learn about the importance of a balanced diet, how to make healthy food choices, the nutritional needs of growing bodies, and the importance of emphasising healthy eating and physical wellbeing. 

Additionally, both Year 5 and Year 6 will focus on media literacy, social media, and online safety and wellbeing. This segment of the curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Students will learn about the impact of media on body image, the importance of digital footprints, and strategies to stay safe online.  

Overall, Term 3 promises to be a dynamic and enriching term, providing students with valuable knowledge and skills that support their personal development and wellbeing.