Throughout 2022 Year 10 students will be participating in Mates & Dates during their Ako class.

This will complement what they are learning in Year 10 Health.

Research shows that working with young people is one of the most effective ways of preventing sexual violence so ACC developed Mates & Dates to help prevent dating and sexual violence.

The five lesson course equips young people with relationship skills and behaviours they can carry with them throughout their lives. Mates & Dates is not a sex education programme, but may include materials and discussions about sexual and relationship violence, consent, dating, relationships, pornography and other related subject matter.

Caregivers may write to the school requesting to have their child excluded from any particular element of sexuality education. If this is the case, please email ako@waimea.school.nz