Sancta Maria College is a single-sex, Catholic, post-primary school under the trusteeship of CEIST. The College is located in Ballyroan, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.

We are committed to providing a holistic education with the aim of developing the academic, cultural, sporting, moral and spiritual needs of our students.

This school is a dynamic and vibrant centre of teaching and learning. We have a very inclusive approach to education providing all of our students with the opportunity to study academic and practical subjects and participate in a range of extracurricular activities.

In partnership with our Board of Management, Parents’ Association and Student Council, we have devised comprehensive policies and procedures which deal with discipline, bullying and other issues affecting the welfare of students.

With this in mind, it is our intention that everyone feels valued and our pupils are encouraged to develop their full potential in a caring and supportive environment.

Sancta Maria College is committed to providing the best educational formation possible for all our students by providing – equally for all – a broadly based curriculum. We aim to provide an education for all students which will embrace their full human development – personal, academic, physical, moral and religious. Relationships and Sexuality Education encompasses the development of attitudes, beliefs and values about relationships, sexual identity and intimacy, contributing towards the full human development of the student. As outlined by the Department of Education and Skills in Circular 0037/2010, no aspect of the RSE Programme including STIs, family planning or sexual orientation can be omitted on the grounds of religious ethos. As we seek to promote the overall development of the student, this objective involves the integration of Relationships and Sexuality Education into personal understanding, growth and development within the context of our holistic educational ethos.

The policy will apply to school staff, students, Board of Management, parents/guardians, visiting speakers and external facilitators.

The policy will apply to all aspects of teaching and learning about relationships and sexuality. Discussion about relationships and sexuality also takes place in classes other than SPHE/RSE;   it is, therefore, important that all teachers are familiar with the RSE Policy.

Relationship and Sexuality Education encompasses the acquisition of knowledge and understanding and the development of attitudes, beliefs and values about relationships, sexual identity and intimacy. Relationships and Sexuality Education seeks to provide children with opportunities to acquire knowledge and understanding of relationships and human sexuality through processes which will enable them to form values and establish behaviours within a moral, spiritual and social framework.

The Education Act (1998) emphasises that schools are obliged to promote the social and personal development of students and provide health education for them. As part of the SPHE Programme, students are encouraged to develop their own self-confidence and build relationships with others. The aim of the SPHE Programme is to promote physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. It also encourages the development of a healthy attitude to sexuality. Relationships and sexuality are key elements of healthy social and personal development in all our lives, but particularly in the life of an adolescent. The RSE Programme is designed to specifically deal with these issues and to encourage students to deal with their own sexuality and develop relationships. RSE is one of the ten modules to be taught in SPHE at Junior Cycle and is mandatory for all year groups from first year to sixth year. The course will be developmental in nature and will be age-appropriate.

The Relationships and Sexuality Education Programme will be taught as part of the SPHE Programme. The aims of RSE are:

• To help students understand and develop friendships and relationships
• To promote an understanding of sexuality
• To promote a positive attitude to students’ own sexuality and their relationships with others
• To promote knowledge of, and respect for, reproduction
• To enable students to develop attitudes and values towards their sexuality in a moral, spiritual  and social framework in keeping with the ethos of the school

• To provide opportunities for pupils to learn about relationships and sexuality in ways that  encourage them to think and act morally and responsibly

A number of staff members have attended training in SPHE and RSE, and management will continue to support staff training in this area.

It is recognised by the school that parents/guardians are the primary educators of the children, and their role in education concerning relationships and sexuality is seen by the school as being very important.

There will be information provided by the school for parents – in the induction pack for parents of first years or at the start of the academic year for parents of all other students – about the content and the timing of the RSE modules. Informing parents/guardians of when these topics are being taught in school will enable them to discuss any further issues at home The RSE Policy will be available to download on the school’s website for parents/guardians.

Parents’/Guardians’ views may also be taken into account when reviewing the policy.

Answering Questions

While it is important to create an environment in SPHE/RSE in which students can discuss issues openly, teachers may not be able to answer all questions asked by students and can, accordingly, set limits. It may not be appropriate to deal with a student’s explicit questions in a classroom situation, e.g., questions on oral sex or abortion. The teacher may say that it is inappropriate to answer the question in class and may exercise his/her professional judgement, guided by the age of the students, in deciding whether to answer the question privately after class has finished. If a teacher becomes concerned about a matter that has been raised, he/she should seek advice from the Principal.

Confidentiality

Students should be asked not to disclose personal information in SPHE/RSE classes. It is important that students are made aware of the limits of confidentiality. Teachers must not guarantee confidentiality. Pupils must be informed that if a teacher becomes aware that a pupil is at risk of abuse, or in breach of the law, this information will be conveyed to the Principal and the appropriate action will be taken, as set down in the Child Protection Guidelines for Post-Primary Schools (2004).

Sexual Activity

Students should be made aware that, following the passage of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2006, the age of consent for sexual activity for both males and females is seventeen years of age in the Republic of Ireland. In circumstances where a teacher becomes aware that a pupil is engaging in underage sexual activity, the teacher must refer this immediately to the school’s Designated Liaison Person (DLP), i.e. the Principal.

Offering Advice

The school’s function is to provide a general education about sexual matters and not to offer individual advice or counselling on aspects of sexual behaviour. However, teachers may provide pupils with education and information about where, and from whom, they can receive confidential sexual advice and treatment, e.g., their doctor. Advice offered should not be directive and should be age-appropriate to the student.

Family Planning/Contraception

The subject of family planning is covered within the Senior Cycle RSE Programme. However, the topic may need to be addressed before that. Students will be provided with information about methods of contraception. This topic will be dealt with in an age-appropriate, open manner, looking at all sides of the issues in a non-directive way.

Homosexuality

The subject of sexual orientation is included in the RSE Curriculum at Senior Cycle. However, the topic may need to be addressed before that. Discretion will be used with regard to the age at which students discuss homosexuality, and it should be discussed in a clear and open manner and in a non-directive way.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

While awareness of STIs is one of the objectives of the second year SPHE/RSE syllabus, STIs are mainly addressed in Senior Cycle. This topic will be dealt with in an age-appropriate, open manner.

SPHE is timetabled once a week for Junior Cycle students. RSE is taught as a module over six class periods within the SPHE Programme. Senior Cycle students receive RSE lessons as part of the Guidance Programme. Transition Year students receive RSE lessons as part of the Health Education module.

If there is a student who may be pregnant in a class, then relevant topics, e.g., family planning, will be dealt with sensitively and with the student in mind.

Withdrawing Pupils from the RSE Programme

The school recognises that parents/guardians have the right to withdraw their child from the RSE class if they wish to do so. The Principal may wish to ask the parents/guardians to put their request in writing, or the parent/guardian may be invited to discuss this with the Principal. We respectfully invite the parent/guardian to give reasons for withdrawal as sometimes this can resolve misunderstandings. Parents may be offered access to appropriate information or resources.

Special Needs

Students with special needs may require more help than others in coping with the physical and emotional aspects of growing up; they may also need help in learning what behaviours are, and are not, acceptable, and in being warned and prepared against abuse by others. They may need to be withdrawn from an RSE lesson if the material is deemed inappropriate for the individual student. Each individual student will be considered separately depending on her needs.

Using Visiting Speakers

The RSE Programme will be delivered openly by teachers who are known and trusted by pupils. However, visitors may enhance the quality of the provision as long as they are used in addition to, and not instead of, a planned programme of RSE. The visitor will be provided with a copy of the RSE Policy prior to the visit. A member of the teaching staff will be present with the visitor during the talk to ensure that our RSE Policy is strictly adhered to.

Resources

Resources are available to teachers of SPHE/RSE in the form of textbooks, workbooks, appropriate DVDs, brochures, etc. Supplementary resources are stored in the SPHE storage area in the staff room and are available for teachers who wish to use them. Students are supplied with an SPHE textbook supplemented by other materials and activities.

Links to other School Policies

It is imperative that all school policies are consistent with one another and cohesive within the framework of the overall school plan. The RSE Policy is developed in this context and takes into consideration the following policies:

• SPHE Policy
• Guidance Policy
• Substance Use Policy
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• Child Protection Guidelines

Teachers of the relevant subject areas, such as Science, Home Economics and Religious Education, will be informed of the content and the timing of the delivery of RSE, and in so far as possible, RSE will be taught in a cross-curricular way.

Roles and Responsibilities in Implementing Policy

All partners, including Board of Management, parents/guardians, school management and teaching staff, have roles and responsibilities in ensuring the implementation of the RSE Policy in our school. Teachers delivering the RSE Programme will attend training provided by the SPHE support service.

Reviewing and Evaluating the RSE Policy

We are committed to monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of this policy. A review of the RSE Policy will take place on a regular basis and may include:

(a) Pupil feedback (e.g., Student Council, survey of students & suggestion/comment box)

(b) Staff review and feedback

(c) Parental/Guardian feedback

(d) Feedback from representatives of the Board of Management