Sexuality education in Queensland comes of age

The last 21 years of the development of sexuality education in Queensland is summarised in the following timeline:

1. 1983

   1. The Queensland Government approves the Personal Development Program offering students in years 8, 9 and 10 and their parents/carers the opportunity to participate in a voluntary, out-of-school program addressing issues to do with the physical, emotional and social development of children (Queensland Department of Education, 1984).

2. 1987

   1. The new Premier of Queensland, Mr Mike Ahern, strongly supports classroom sexuality education and declares that the Personal Development Program needs to be reviewed. The review looks at the scope of the program to include those parents/carers and children who do not have access to or who are not participating in the existing program (Logan, 1991).

3. 1988

   1. As a result of this review, the guidelines for a Human Relationships Education Program (HRE) for pre-school to year 12 is approved (Koch, 1988). Guidelines for a comprehensive program are released with the support of all stakeholders (Queensland Department of Education, 1988).

      The program consists of five key elements: communication, values, self-concept, sexuality and relationships. The program is subsequently delivered by teachers who have special interest and ability in this area, supported by a team of Education Department consultants and advised by Regional Officers of the Department (Queensland Department of Education, 1988).

4. 1989

   1. A trial of the Human Relationships Education Program (HRE) is conducted in all regions, supported by statewide consultants and Departmental staff.

      Policy and Guidelines Statements for the HRE program distributed to schools to assist them with the introduction of the new program (Logan, 1991).

5. 1990

   1. By May 1990, 40% of schools have some form of HRE course. It is hoped that all schools implement HRE courses by the end of 1993 (Powell, 1995).

      New resources are developed by the Department to further support the implementation of HRE courses in schools (Logan, 1991).

6. 1997

   1. Publication of High Talk – a learning package designed to provide a framework for secondary schools to implement effective sexuality education for young people in school settings (FPQ, 1997).

   2. Publication of Talking About It– a sexuality education resource for primary schools containing lesson outlines from year 1 to year 7 (FPQ, 1997).

7. 1999

   1. Health and Physical Education is incorporated in the Health and Physical Education Key Learning Area Years 1–10 Syllabus, Queensland School Curriculum Council. Health and Physical Education has responsibility for policy issues associated with human relationships education.

8. 2001

   1. Publication of Everybody Needs to Know – developed in response to the need expressed by educators and workers in the disability field for a teaching/learning package addressing the specific needs of their group (FPQ, 2001).

   2. Launch of 'I Stay Safe' website. The website was developed as a resource to provide students across the state with information about managing their own sexual health (Queensland Health, 2001).

9. 2004

   1. Launch of 'Healthy Schools' website. The website has been developed as a resource to support health professionals and school communities across the state in the work that they are doing to create schools that are healthy places to learn, work and play (Queensland Health, 2004).

10. 2005

    1. Development of Living Life to the Full: Personal and Social Development Education Guidelines by Brisbane Catholic Education Centre (BCEC): guidelines to assist the development of each school’s personal and social development program (BCEC, 2005).

11. 2007

    1. Release of Responding Positively to Sexual Behaviours: the Traffic Lights Model – a DVD that provides a guide for professionals to IDENTIFY, ASSESS and RESPOND to sexual behaviours that may cause concern in school settings (FPQ, 2007).

    2. Publication of Everyone’s got a bottom – a storybook that can be used as a tool for parents and carers to gently start a conversation with children about self protection (FPQ, 2007).

    3. Publication of Body and Relationships Education Essentials – a sexuality education resource for primary schools from prep to year 7. Replaces Talking About It (FPQ, 2007).

    4. Introduction of QCAR framework and Essential Learnings. The Essential Learnings provide a clear direction to teachers about what students should have opportunities to learn (QSA, 2007).

12. 2008

    1. Development of Scope and Sequence Charts by Department of Education, Training and the Arts (DETA) to assist with the interpretation of the Essential Learnings. (DETA, 2008a, 2008b, 2008c).

       Examining the Essential Learnings for each KLA, in conjunction with DETA’s Scope and Sequence Charts, continues to provide teachers and schools with strong support to deliver sexuality education to Queensland students.

       In conjunction with Simon Blake’s visit, FPQ hosts a public forum at Parliament House for those interested in sexuality education in Queensland schools.

       At the forum Barry Salmon, Assistant Commissioner for Children and Young People and Child Guardian, states that "Sexuality and human relationships education are not new issues for Queensland’s education system … they have been a serious consideration of Queensland schools for almost two decades”. (Salmon, 2008).

    2. FPQ commissions Galaxy to conduct a poll that examines the level of support for sexuality education in Queensland schools.

13. 2009

    1. Queensland celebrates 21 years of sexuality education.

       In partnership with YMCA Youth Parliament, CCYPCG, DET, ISQ, QCPCA, YANQ and FPQ celebrates by hosting a conference in Brisbane.