Sexuality Education (SEd) in schools is about enabling students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships including those with members of the opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching and learning of SEd is based on respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.

Overview of NorthLight School Family Education

In NorthLight School, SEd is conducted during Family Education lessons which are part of the Northlight Programme. The customised school curriculum incorporates the Growing Years curriculum as well as eTeens talks and classroom based learning (Year 3) This allows us to take a holistic approach which aligns to our students’ profile. Our lessons are founded on 5 broad based themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour and Culture, Society and Law.

The goals of Sexuality Education are to:

To help students make wise, responsible and informed decisions through the provision of accurate, current and age-appropriate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity;
To help students know themselves and build healthy and rewarding relationships through the acquisition of social and emotional skills of self-awareness, management of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, development of empathy for others, possession of effective communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills; and
To help students develop a moral compass, respect for themselves and for others as sexual beings, premised on the family as the basic unit of society, through the inculcation of positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality.

The key messages of Sexuality Education are:

Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others;
Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families);
Make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and society; and
Abstinence before marriage is the best protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancies. Casual sex can harm and hurt you and your loved ones.

You may click here for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

Overview of NorthLight School’s Sexuality Education Programme for 2020

Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into five main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and, Culture, Society and Law. You may click here for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.

The NorthLight Programme Family Education incorporates topics on sexuality.

Growing Years (GY) Programme:

“The Teenage Years (2^nd Edition)” (Lower Sec) Teaching & Learning resource package
“Sense & Sexuality (2^nd Edition)” (Upper Sec) Teaching & Learning resource package

The values and attitudes of our youth towards sexuality are increasingly shaped by their peers, exposure to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his/her own identity and often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence (generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents. The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance can be overwhelmingly strong, and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly. Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves and from peers, it is important to build a strong sense of self-worth, personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.

Through “The Teenage Years” and “Sense & Sexuality” packages, students will have the opportunity to develop a positive self-esteem, develop their character, and expand their understanding and repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality, which are of prime concern at this age.

At NorthLight School, the following lessons from the Growing Years Programme will be taught in 2020:

Year 1

LESSON	DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD
Lesson 1: Puberty	1 hour	recognise the physical development during puberty in boys and girls recognize the emotional changes at puberty identify ways to cope with their physical & emotional changes	Term 1 or 3
Lesson 2: Personal Hygiene	1 hour	understand the importance of personal hygiene demonstrate the ability to maintain personal hygiene
Lesson 3: The Real Self	1 hour	understand how one’s perception of his body is linked to personal experiences and the sources of information that are taken in understand the influence of media on body image understand that physical features are only one aspect of our person and identity
Lesson 4: Eating Disorders	1 hour	recognise that one’s self-perception is influenced by his perception of his body learn about eating disorders e.g. anorexia, bulimia learn ways to develop healthy/positive perception of one’s body
Lesson 5: Uniquely Me	1 hour	develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of themselves
Lesson 6: Healthy Relationships	1 hour	define what constitute a healthy relationship explain the need to maintain healthy relationships in the family take steps to build healthy relationships with members of the family
Lesson 7: Being Aware Being Safe	1 hour	reflect on the reasons for people to use social networking sites to make friends or to engage their existing friends learn about the dangers of making friends over social networking platforms
Lesson 8: Media Truths & Lies	1 hour	express their views about information from the internet and be aware of the potential/ possible dangers of it recognize that one does not need to rely on the internet, particularly online chat portals, to make friends

LESSON	DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD
Lesson 9: Love vs Infatuation	1 hour	understand that infatuation is temporary and a normal part of growing up appreciate different kinds of love and crushes demonstrate appropriate ways of showing affection towards friends, teachers and other adults	Term 2 or 4
Lesson 10: True Love	1 hour	understand what commitment and true love is
Lesson 11: The Dating Game	1 hour	recognise the importance of developing a friendship before committing to a romantic relationship recognise what dating involves recognize why it is not recommended that we go steady at a young age
Lesson 12: Breaking Up is Not Easy	1 hour	identify why relationships break down identify the emotions that accompany the breakdown of a relationship know healthy ways of coping with rejections and breakups recognise the need to be respectful and responsible in ending a relationship know ways to seek support when going through a breakdown of relationship and offer support for those going through the same
Lesson 13: Temptation	1 hour	recognize the sources of temptation and situations that can lead to pre-marital sex resist pressure to engage in sexual activities
Lesson 14: Responsible Me, Safe Me	1 hour	know what is considered pornographic material on the Internet under the Internet code of practice know what masturbation is understand the unhealthy consequences of excessive masturbation know some ways to cope with the feelings and urge to masturbate
Lesson 15: Must It Be As Expected	1 hour	know the influence of family, culture and society on one’s perception of his gender role understand societal expectations of gender roles recognize that societal expectations should not restrain personal development
Lesson 16: At the Crossroads	1 hour	demonstrate healthy attitudes towards human sexuality accept one’s uniqueness as a male or female define what sexual orientation (heterosexuality and homosexuality) is recognize the need to treat people with respect regardless of their sexual orientation

Year 2

LESSON	DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD
Lesson 1: Online Encounters	1 hour	express their views about information from the internet and be aware of the potential/ possible dangers of it	Term 1 or 3
Lesson 2: A Touchy Issue	1 hour	recognise how new media has shaped public perception of acceptability of public display of affection know that certain public displays of affection are not considered appropriate behaviour in our society
Lesson 3: Touching Others	1 hour	develop healthy attitudes towards one’s body recognize acceptable and unacceptable ways of touching others
Lesson 4: Sexual Abuse	1 hour	explain what constitutes a sexual act recognize what sexual abuse is and the different types of sexual abuse know the physiological, psychological and social impact of sexual abuse on the individual recognise the provision of Singapore laws that serves to protect teenagers from sexual perpetrators and persecute those who have committed such crimes identify sources to seek help and support
Lesson 5: Getting To Know you	1 hour	recognize what constitutes responsible dating evaluate if a dating relationship is healthy or unhealthy demonstrate competencies in managing emotions in dating and romantic relationships
Lesson 6: Moving On – Breaking Up	1 hour	explain the process of grief and loss that people experience when a relationship breaks down exercise sensitivity and empathy when communicating break-up recognise that one can emerge stronger after a break-up
Lesson 7: The Morning After	1 hour	distinguish between touching and petting recognize that petting is an act of physical stimulation realise that petting may be perceived differently by different genders take actions to avoid the consequences of arousing one’s physical and emotional desires through petting differentiate what constitutes a sexual act/ sexual relationship distinguish sex as an expression of love between a married couple and sex to satisfy a physical need

LESSON	DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD
Lesson 8: In the Name of the Law	1 hour	understand why pre-marital and underage sex are punishable by law reflect on the legal consequences of sexual behavior and include these considerations in their decision-making pertaining to pornography
Lesson 9: Teenage Pregnancy	1 hour	understand the consequences of teenage pregnancy identify sources to seek help and support from when faced with teenage pregnancy
Lesson 10: Abortion	1 hour	explain the process of abortion recognise the effects of abortion	Term 2 or 4
Lesson 11: Sexual Health	1 hour	explain the need to take responsibility for their sexual health recognise the signs and symptoms ofAIDS & STIs and the complications recognise how STIs/STDs can be transmitted
Lesson 12: Sexual Abstinence	1 hour	recognise that respect and responsible decision making are important in relationships recognise the value of sexual abstinence before marriage
Lesson 13: Contraception	1 hour	state the various contraception methods and describe their side effects take steps to protect oneself against the potentially harmful consequences of sexual relationships like STDs and adolescent pregnancy
Lesson 14: Exhibitionism	1 hour	know what exhibitionism is show an awareness that exhibitionism is punishable by law know what to do in the presence of an exhibitionist
Lesson 15: Stranger Danger	1 hour	recognise the danger of meeting online friends, sharing too much personal info online be aware of the physical boundaries with the adults they know learn about sexting, sexual grooming, love scams e.g. sextortion

Year 3

LESSON	DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD
Lesson 1: Marriage	1 hour	define what cohabitation is and evaluate the consequences of cohabitation recognize that commitment is a necessary ingredient for success in a marriage identify responsibilities involved and the challenges faced in a marriage evaluate the consequences of divorce on the family members	Term 2 or 4
Lesson 2: Love Conquers All	1 hour	reflect on the qualities of a healthy romantic relationship
Lesson 3: Family	1 hour	distinguish differences in family types and the structural roles of family members understand that each family performs the same basic functions of providing love, protection, guidance and support
Lesson 4: eTeens Lesson 1 – Decision Making	1 hour	understand there are consequences in any decision one makes regarding sexual intercourse understand that one needs correct and accurate information to make the right decisions regarding one’s sexual health learn to make decisions that will reduce the risk to their sexual health.
Lesson 5: eTeens Lesson 2 – Assertiveness	1 hour	understand what assertive behaviour is practise responding to persuasion assertively
Lesson 6: eTeens Lesson 3 – Negotiation	1 hour	practise negotiating one’s way out of a negative situation
Lesson 7: eTeens Lesson 4 – Is It Safe	1 hour	learn risk reduction for STIs/HIV and assess situations to aid the control of impulses in sexual behaviour
Lesson 8: Online Self-Disclosure	1 hour	recognize the potential/ possible dangers of online self-disclosure

Year 4

LESSON	DURATION	Lesson Objectives At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:	TIME PERIOD
Lesson 1: Being Safe	1 hour	learn about stranger danger, and the pros & cons of making friends over social networking platforms recognise the inappropriate touch from ‘familiar’ adults and about ‘crossing boundaries’	Term 1 & 2 or 3
Lesson 2: Respecting Others	1 hour	learn what sexual expletives really mean learn that hurling vulagarites, calling names or labelling others inappropriately as gay, lesbian, isolating others based on appearance or behaviour traits are acts of discrimination and bullying
Lesson 3: PorNOgraphy	1 hour	recognise how how peer pressure can influence decision-making learn how to resist peer pressure and temptations to watch porn or commit sexual acts
Lesson 4: The Dating Game	1 hour	evaluate one’s readiness for a romantic relationship, leading to marriage recognise that intimacy in a relationship need not be limited to physical intimacy recognise that break ups can allow one to understand oneself better
Lesson 5: Family	1 hour	recognize and the importance of not stereotyping according to gender in the family learn about imperfections in family and how to accept differences and get along with family members

eTeens Programme:

eTeens is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, for Secondary 3 students to provide them with accurate information on STIs, HIV and protection from a health perspective. eTeens is conducted in two segments – a mass talk segment and a classroom-based programme.

Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say “no” to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STIs/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages. The desired outcome of the eTeens programme is that students are empowered to make wise, informed and sensible decisions.

At NorthLight School, the eTeens programme will be implemented as follows in 2018:

Topics/Lessons	Programme Learning Objectives	Time Period
Mass Talk by HPB appointed vendor	Awareness of the different STIs and HIV/AIDS Modes of transmission Modes of protection, specifically on how the condom is used Consequences and impact of STIs/HIV	Term 3
Classroom-based Lesson	Learn to negotiate their way out of a risky situation by applying skills of assertiveness and responsible decision-making	Term 2 or 4

Information for Parents

Parents may opt their children out of Growing Years, eTeens and/or supplementary sexuality education programmes by MOE-approved external providers.

Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Growing Years (GY) programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 15 January 2018.

Parents who wish to opt their children out of the eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. A hardcopy of the form, duly completed and signed, is to be submitted to the school office by 15 January 2018.

Parents an contact the school at 6580 6490 or Northlight@ite.edu.sg for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s sexuality education programme.