Celebrating a year of milestones at Life Ed NSW/ACT

This year,  we updated six primary school modules, equipping students with essential social and emotional skills to address today’s challenges. These updates ensure our programs remaining relevant and impactful, helping students build resilience, make healthy choices, and develop positive relationships.  

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to launch Harold’s Online World, a new cybersafety program tailored for Year 1 and 2 students. This module is designed to empower children to navigate the digital landscape safely, equipping them with the critical thinking skills needed to recognise risks and make informed decisions online. In addition, we’re thrilled to introduce ‘Talk About It’, a new puberty education program for Year 5 and 6 students. This program provides young people with the knowledge and confidence to understand the physical, social and emotional changes that occur during puberty. By fostering self-awareness, Talk About It will play a vital role in supporting students during this pivotal stage of their development.   

In secondary schools, we’ve expanded our Reality Now program, introducing new teaching resources and parent-focused tools to address pressing issues like vaping. This holistic approach  equips young people with the knowledge to make informed decisions while fostering support from families and educators.  

This year, Life Ed reached over 1,100 schools and engaged 280,000 students, engaging students in vital health and wellbeing education. These figures highlight the growing demand for our programs and their lasting impact on young Australians.  

We also launched Healthy Harold’s Festival of Health, a vibrant initiative in regional areas including Parkes, Grafton, Moree, and Kempsey. The festivals promote health and wellbeing, bringing communities together and sparking vital conversations about mental health and resilience.  

As we reflect on these milestones, we are filled with gratitude for the partnerships and collaborations that make our work possible. On behalf of Life Ed NSW, thank you for your unwavering support in our mission. Together, we are empowering the next generation to lead healthier, happier lives. 

Looking to the future, our mission remains clear: to adapt to the evolving needs of schools and ensure every child has access to the tools they need to thrive. To achieve this, we continue to seek new partners and donors who can help us expand our high-impact programs. Every contribution will help us reach more young Australians and create lasting change.  

As we close out 2024, I’d like to wish you all a joyful and safe festive season and a prosperous New Year. We look forward to continuing our work in 2025, creating meaningful impact for children and young people across the state and empowering them to lead healthier, more informed lives. 

Healthy regards, 

Jonathon Peatfield 

Chief Executive Officer – Life Ed NSW/ACT