Minister Wiersma visited the school because of Love Week, which takes place from 13 to 17 February. Secondary schools and vocational education institutions can take part in the week. The aim of Love Week is to introduce schools to the theme of Relationships and sexuality. It is a good and enjoyable way to give school-wide attention to relationship and sexual education.
Students happy with attention to relationships and sexuality
Students in secondary education discover all kinds of things about relationships and sexuality. By starting on time and giving sustained attention to sexual and relationship education, students become familiar with the theme and are more likely to ask questions about topics such as sexual and gender diversity, wishes and boundaries. The same was true today!
Together with Karin Kalsbeek, Healthy School coordinator at Revius Lyceum, the minister talked with a Year 3 HAVO class about various topics. What do you do if someone addresses you in an unpleasant way? Have you ever said or done something that you later realised was inappropriate or unwanted, and what did you do then? Did the lessons give you the confidence to talk about this with your friends?
During this conversation, the minister and the students also experienced firsthand that talking about these matters is not easy, and that it is actually very beneficial to learn more about them at school. The students were therefore very happy that their school handles the subject so well and that the entire school pays attention to relationships and sexuality.
Relationships and sexuality theme certificate
Working with the Healthy School approach on the theme of Relationships and sexuality is already clearly bearing fruit at this school. After Revius Lyceum had previously obtained the theme certificate for Smoking, alcohol and drug prevention, the school was also able to add the theme certificate for Relationships and sexuality last summer. This milestone deserved to be marked, and that happened during this visit. Minister Wiersma presented Karin Kalsbeek with the newly designed Healthy School plaque!
Next steps
Karin is proud of what the school has already achieved, but her work is certainly not finished yet. “It is a great result, but we still have steps to take on this topic. We are currently doing a lot for and with the students, but it is also good to bring this topic more to the attention of our teachers. This will ensure that they also have the knowledge and tools to discuss all aspects of healthy relationships and sexuality with students. Together with the Healthy School adviser and the GGD (municipal public health service), we will continue working on this extensively over the coming year.”
The role of Healthy School
Healthy School works with education professionals to make a healthy lifestyle second nature for students. Relationships and sexuality is one of Healthy School's health themes. Rutgers and Soa Aids Nederland are knowledge partners for this health theme. With the Healthy Relationships & Sexuality incentive scheme, schools can devote (extra) attention to the theme.
The incentive scheme arose from the coalition agreement to promote sexual health and prevent unintended pregnancies, sexual transgression and STIs, alongside other measures. The Healthy Relationships & Sexuality incentive scheme is intended to encourage and support schools that wish to focus on the theme of Relationships and sexuality.
Applying for the incentive scheme
Would your school also like to work structurally on Relationships and sexuality? Then apply for the Healthy Relationships & Sexuality incentive scheme! From 6 March through 17 April, schools can once again register their interest in one or more of the incentive schemes. The Healthy Relationships & Sexuality incentive scheme is available to schools in primary education, special education, secondary education and vocational education.