2023
From Week 4 (7th August) the New Entrant to Year 6 teams will be teaching the personal safety programme by New Zealand Police – Keeping Ourselves Safe. We cover this programme every two years as part of our Health curriculum.
What will children and young people learn?
They will learn:
- to work out when their safety is at risk
- how to keep safe when they meet and mix with other people
- who and how to ask for help if they, or someone they know, is being abused
- to go on asking for help until someone does something to stop the abuse
- that it is important to make and follow personal, family and school safety rules
They will know:
- that abuse is never okay
- that abuse is never their fault
What part do parents, caregivers and whānau play?
Parents and whānau are strongly encouraged to support Keeping Ourselves Safe.
You can:
- attend a meeting at school to find out more about Keeping Ourselves Safe
- find out about abuse and what to do if you think a child you know is being abused
- talk to your child about what they have learnt in Keeping Ourselves Safe.
- set safety guidelines with your family
- help young children with the Keeping Ourselves Safe activities they bring home
- give the same safety messages as the school is giving
- look at the whānau section of NZ Police Keeping Ourselves Safe for more information and frequently asked questions – click here
Keeping Ourselves Safe will be taught by your child’s Home Group teacher, with support from Constable Meg Moynihan, our local Police School Community Officer, as required. The lessons are age appropriate in content and delivery.
To be successful, Keeping Ourselves Safe needs your help and support. It is important that you participate as much as possible and talk to your child about what they have been learning. This will reinforce the messages the school is giving, and help your child to use their skills with confidence.
A parent information session will be held at school on Wednesday 2 August at 2.15 pm in the staffroom for anyone who would like more information about the programme so that you can support your child.
If you require more information about the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme or wish to discuss the learning, please speak with your child’s Home Group teacher in the first instance.
The following school policies are relevant to this programme and are linked here for your information: