Life Ed NT teaches 1,500 Alice Springs kids about respectful relationships

The Mobile Learning Centre, a state-of-the-art educational facility on wheels, was gifted from Cooloola Noosa Life Education Association Inc. in Queensland, and is equipped with interactive resources and engaging activities designed to educate children on various aspects of health and wellbeing. From nutrition and personal hygiene to safety and resilience, the curriculum is tailored to address the unique needs and challenges faced by children in Alice Springs.

Starting Term 2 2024, Healthy Harold’s Mobile Learning Centre will tour six schools across Alice Springs, delivering comprehensive health education programs to students. Through interactive workshops, facilitated by trained educators, students will learn about the importance of making healthy choices, building positive relationships, and navigating life’s challenges with confidence.

Terese Hooper, Executive Director for Life Ed NT, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce a new Mobile Learning Centre to support the reach of the Life Ed program to children in Alice Springs. This initiative underscores our commitment to providing accessible and engaging health and wellbeing education, empowering young Territorians to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”

The Mobile Learning Centre is scheduled to visit the following schools, thanks to the generous towing support of Outback Vehicle Recovery:

• Larapinta Primary School
• Living Waters Lutheran School
• Braitling Primary School
• Yipirinya School
• Tennant Creek Primary School
• Katherine School of Air

During the tour, Healthy Harold and a team of specialist Educators will be delivering respectful relationship education. This component of the program aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for building healthy and respectful relationships. Topics covered include effective communication, understanding consent, recognising and addressing disrespectful behaviour, and promoting empathy and mutual respect.

Respectful relationship education is crucial in fostering a positive and inclusive school environment. By empowering students with the tools to navigate interpersonal dynamics confidently and respectfully, Life Ed aims to contribute to the prevention of bullying, harassment, and violence. The impact of respectful relationship education extends beyond the school environment, influencing students’ interactions with peers, family members, and their broader community. Teaching children about consent and boundaries from a young age helps lay the foundation for healthy relationships in adulthood.

The Mobile Learning Centre tour in Alice Springs represents Life Ed NT’s commitment to providing comprehensive health education that addresses the holistic needs of children and young people. By reaching schools directly within the community, and delivering respectful relationship education alongside other health topics, the program aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary for leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.

For more information about Healthy Harold’s Mobile Learning Centre tour in Alice Springs, please contact Life Ed NT at nt@lifeed.org.au or visit the Life Ed website at lifeed.org.au