Kia ora koutou

Beginning over the next few weeks, we will be teaching the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme in Rooms 1-6 and DARE programme in Room 7. It is intended that students participate in these programmes a number of times while they are at primary school and we cover them in alternate years. Often what is discussed in class is followed up with a home activity so watch out for these where you can add your input into your child’s learning.

If you would like to know more about these programmes please talk to the class teacher concerned.

Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme
They will learn:

• to work out when their safety is at risk, for example walking home alone in the dark;
• 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.

To be successful, Keeping Ourselves Safe needs your help and support.  Your child may have Homework activities to work on with you.  It is important that you talk to your child about what they have been learning.  This will help reinforce the messages the school and police are giving.

DARE to make a Choice aims to prepare young people to make responsible choices and decisions about the use of drugs and to give them the skills and confidence to implement these choices and decisions.  Responsible decision making will help young people develop healthy lifestyles and fulfil their potential as individuals, taking an active role in the community and behaving in ways that do not compromise the safety of others.

 Achievement objectives

 As a result of working through the activities in DARE to make a Choice, students will:

• identify personal qualities in themselves and others that contribute to a feeling of self-worth; 
• convey feelings, ideas and opinions to others in positive ways; 
• make responsible decisions for themselves, including those concerned with drug use; • use a range of strategies to resist pressures to misuse drugs;
• describe what safe and sensible use of drugs means;
• use drug and violence-free alternatives to cope in a range of situations such as handling stress;
• identify and access people in their community who can help with drug-related problems; and develop skills to have fun with friends in rewarding, interesting and positive ways.