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Year 9 Connections That Count

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Year 9 students welcomed guest speakers from Your Choicez! They led students through a Connections that Count seminar. David Kobler spoke to the boys and Beck Neale spoke to the girls. The program is designed to:

- Develop an understanding of key terms such as image-based abuse, sexual harassment and coercion.
- Gain a thorough understanding of the concerns, dangers and legalities surrounding the issue of sexting.
- Understand the powerful role of empathy and encourage students to be upstanders rather than bystanders.
- Evaluate the unhealthy belief that their value is determined by the way they look and reframe value to be more than skin deep.
- Gain an understanding of the popularity myth and the power of true friendship:  what science has to say about quality friendship over quantity.
Consider the impact of social media and the way it can be affecting their understanding of themselves and the way they view relationships.
- Reframe asking for help as a positive course of action and a sign of strength. Identify the key personnel in their world they can turn to for help.

Year 9 students listened respectfully to the speakers and participated in discussions, activities and the completion of reflection questions in a booklet. The seminar was a fantastic opportunity for students to further consider these issues and further equip themselves with the tools to cope with the pressures of modern living.

Mrs Fiona Byrne
Year 9 Advisor