Masterclass: Beyond the Basics: Real-World Sexuality and Consent Education for Years 5–10

Our Masterclass series explores the latest health and physical education research. We offer 8 Masterclasses each year.

Masterclass #8  2025:

Mandatory consent education in Australian schools has opened the door for a deeper look at how we teach Sexuality and Sexual Health across Stages 3, 4, and 5 of the PDHPE syllabus. As students move into adolescence, the topic of consent becomes increasingly important. Evidence from international studies shows that when young people receive comprehensive sexuality education, it leads to better health outcomes—such as increased use of safe sex practices and a reduction in experiences of sexual violence.

This Masterclass will support PDHPE teachers to:

• Understand adolescent development, including how puberty affects students physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively—and what this means for how they learn about relationships and consent.
• Reflect on your own teaching approach and experiences delivering age-appropriate sexuality and sexual health education in the classroom.
• Build confidence in teaching sensitive content—including sexuality, sexual health and consent—in ways that are safe, inclusive and aligned with the PDHPE syllabus.

PRESENTER

Professor Melissa Kang, Sydney University
Melissa Kang is Professor of Adolescent Health at the University of Sydney. She is a medical doctor with 30 years’ experience working clinically with adolescents ad young adults. Her research has focused on building health system literacy among young people, improving access to health care and understanding adolescent sexuality and sexual health. She recently led a NSW Health funded study on mapping Sexuality and Sexual Health pre-service teacher training across NSW. She was the medical consultant and writer behind the ‘Dolly Doctor’ column in Dolly magazine, from 1993 to 2016 when the magazine closed.

DETAILS
Date: Thursday, December 11 2025
Time: 3.45-5.15pm – 60min presentation & 30min Q&A
Format: Live online video conference
Cost:
Free for ACHPER NSW/ACT members (login to receive the discount)
– $30 non-members. You can join ACHPER NSW. Teacher Membership is only $140 p.a which includes 8 free masterclasses each year.

ACCREDITATION
Attending an ACHPER NSW Masterclass will contribute 1.5 hours of NESA elective PD in the priority area of delivery and assessment of NSW curriculum – addressing standard descriptor 7.4.2 from the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW