Scoil Bhríde
Milltown
Policy on Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)
Scoil Bhríde, Milltown is a mixed primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of
Kildare and Leighlin. Scoil Bhríde aims to provide an education that fosters the development
of the whole person. In the context of furthering this aim, Scoil Bhríde is committed to
providing a Relatioships and Sexuality Education (RSE) programme in line with and as part
of the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum.
The following objectives cover all the material regarded as sensitive.
Infants, First and Second Class:
 Name some parts of the male and female body using appropriate terms in an age
appropriate way and identify some of their functions.
Third and Fourth Class:
 Realise the importance of caring for and treating his/her body, and that of others, with
dignity and respect.
 Understand the physical changes taking place in both the male and female body
 Realise that these changes do not occur at the same time but nonetheless are
predictable and natural and that being different is normal.
 Recognise and discuss how feelings and emotions are affected by the physical
changes that take place at puberty
 Discuss the stages and sequence of development of the human baby, from conception
to birth.
Fifth and Sixth Class:
 Recognise the importance of treating his/her body and others with dignity and respect.
 Identify and discuss the physical changes that occur in boys and girls with the onset of
puberty and understand that these take place at different rates for everyone.
 Understand the reproductive system of both male and female adults.
 Become aware of communicable diseases and explore how diseases and infections
spread.
 Explore patterns of development with that of earlier stages: physical, social,
emotional, intellectual and spiritual.
 Understand sexual intercourse, conception and birth within the context of a
committed, loving relationship.
 Discuss and explore the responsibilities involved in being a parent and the emotional
and physical maturity required to be a parent.
Scoil Bhríde
Milltown
Language used in Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)
Scoil Bhríde Milltown is a Catholic Primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Kildare,
(Bishop Denis Nulty).
Scoil Bhríde follows the RSE programme as developed by the N.C.C.A. It is taught in conjunction
with S.P.H.E. and the Stay Safe programme (which is officially covered in Senior Infants, 2nd class,
4th class and 6th class).
We feel in particular, it is important to outline the language that may be used with the children in
order that parents/teachers are clear on the information that each class grouping should be aware of.
Whereas all of the language is outlined in the books (available in the school) we feel the necessity to
let parents know the exact language used. We refer in particular to a paragraph which appears
regularly in the Resource Books:
“It is important that children learn the appropriate vocabulary, for discussing aspects of life
related to sexuality, growing up and their bodies’ physical changes so that they can
communicate confidently about themselves.”
When Children begin school, it is not unusual indeed it is quite normal for them to have other
names for their genitals. However the use of proper terms for parts of the body and bodily
functions should be encouraged from the earliest age, so that these terms are given a status and
acceptability.
Junior and Senior Infants
Junior Infants:


Baby in Mammy’s tummy.
Womb
Senior Infants:





Vagina (Vulva, Urethra)
Penis
Giving a doll a bath,
o Difference between a real boy and a girl)
Beach/ swimming pool.
o What parts of the body can you see?
Story.
o Where did the baby get her milk? Breasts
__________________________________________________________________________________________
First and Second class
First class:
Womb, penis, vagina (vulva, urethra)
Second class:
Womb, penis, vagina, (vulva, urethra)
Breast feeding



a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
What happened when the baby was born?
How did the baby get out? (Through the vagina, the opening where a baby leaves
mammy’s womb.)
What is the proper name for? …..
The part of the boy that passes urine? Penis
The part of the girl that passes urine? Urethra
The opening where a baby leaves its mother’s womb? Vagina
The part of the body where a baby was joined to its mother’s body before being
born? Umbilical cord- navel.
The parts of a mother’s body that feed the baby after it is born?
Breasts
Third and Fourth class
Third class:
Revision of Second class material.
Fourth class: A new life Time-Line – Growing of the baby in the womb.
Include pg 173-178
We include the recommended Home/School links page 204-205 to outline which will be
covered in 4th class.
Fifth and Sixth class
Resources:




RSE Booklet
Busy Bodies D.V.D
Talk in 5th/6th from professional

Puberty
Area Covered:
Physical change in girls
 Breasts develop
 Menstruation begins
 Pubic hair begins to grow
Female Reproductive Organs:
 Fallopian tube
 Uterus
 ovary
 cervix
 vagina
These terms plus
menstruation are explained
on pg.86 of the RSE Booklet
Pg 87/88 of the RSE Booklet
Physical changes in boys
 Testicles
 Penis
 Scrotum
 Wet dreams
 Sperm production
 Erection
 Body hair
Pg 96 of RSE Booklet
Conception:



Sexual intercourse
Fertilized egg
sperm
All of the above vocabulary is used as outlined on page one of this document.