Schools Education Program
Sexuality and Relationships Education & Health Promotion for young people, and those who work & care for them.
Providing sexuality and relationships education is a rewarding and challenging task. Schools and teachers often feel the responsibility of addressing this important work, but lack confidence or resources to do it effectively.
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT), a health promotion charity assisted with funding from the ACT Government, has been supporting public, private and faith-based schools in Canberra to deliver effective, relevant, accurate and responsible sexuality education since the 1970s. SHFPACT's education, health promotion & clinical services reach thousands of students in Canberra's schools each year.
One of SHFPACT’s key goals is to minimise the risks and harms faced by young people. These include the risks involved in premature, unsafe or unwanted sexual activity; unwanted pregnancy, sexual violence and STI transmission. Studies consistently show that comprehensive and accurate sexuality education leads to a delay in the onset of sexual activity, or a decrease in overall sexual activity. In addition, research shows that sexuality education increases the adoption of safe sex practices by sexually active young people.
SHFPACT can assist schools and educators in the following ways:
Program & Curriculum Development
SHFPACT supports teachers and education staff in developing effective, accurate and relevant sexuality and relationships programs for students at all year levels. School staff can consult with SHFPACT educators to design and evaluate their school’s sexuality and relationship education programs via phone, email or an appointment. Our librarian and educators are also on hand to offer advice and guidance on resources, training opportunities and referrals where necessary.
Contact the Education & Health Promotion team on (02) 6247 3077 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information, or to have a chat.
Sessions & Workshops for Students
SHFPACT has developed a range of workshops and education sessions for students in ACT schools, ranging from Primary School through to College. Sessions can be tailored to small or large groups of students, and to meet the needs of the student, school and parent/ care giver.
Topics can include:
- Puberty
- Human Reproduction
- Relationships
- Sexual Development
- Human Sexuality & Diversity
- Gender Roles
- Decision-making & Negotiation Skills
- Reproductive Health
- Pregnancy & Pregnancy Options
- Personal Safety
- Public & Private
Professional development for teacher’s and educators
SHFPACT can tailor professional development opportunities to suit the needs of participants. Sessions can have a topic focus or be built around a range of topics. Sessions can run for the time that suits participants (including outside of school hours/ after hours). To make a request or to find out more information on what sessions SHFPACT can run in your school please contact the Education & Health Promotion team on (02) 6247 3077 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Parent Information Sessions
Sexual Health & Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) supports school communities by providing parents and carers with engaging, interactive presentations that cover the rationale for comprehensive sexuality education delivered within their children’s school.
SHFPACT can also provide information about effective communication with their children about relationships, sexuality and reproductive issues, as well as resources, to support sexuality education in the home. Feedback received from parents who attend school-based SHFPACT Information Evenings is consistently positive. To make a request or to find out more information on what sessions SHFPACT can run in your school please contact the Education & Health Promotion team on (02) 6247 3077 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Health Promotion Resources
We can also supply posters, postcards, stickers, safe sex condom packs and other resources that aid sexuality education delivered to young people. Please see our “Order Resources” page for more information.
To make a request or to find out more information on what sessions SHFPACT can run in your school please contact the Education & Health Promotion team on (02) 6247 3077 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bookshop, Library & Resource Centre
SHFPACT’s Library & Resource Centre is a specialist, comprehensive collection of reference materials, lesson plans, education kits, videos & other resources on sexuality and reproductive health topics. Becoming a member and borrowing items is easy and affordable - or you can choose to purchase titles from SHFPACT’s Bookshop.
