JADE SPEAKS UP

Help shape emotionally literate, empathetic, resilient children who can safely navigate the complexities of life.

"Jade Speaks Up" is our flagship teacher-led programme that equips teachers with strategies to enable a safe space for classroom exploration of emotional literacy, trust, self-calming strategies, and critical thinking in challenging situations.

It provides teachers with research-based resources to guide students in learning ways of keeping themselves and others safe in a scary situation.

Our programme addresses the complex issue of family harm, equipping students with the knowledge and tools to stay safe. It allows teachers to feel confident when hearing a disclosure of what to do and say and seek support for follow-through.

Over nearly 10 years of teachers delivering Jade Speaks Up, students have successfully applied the programme's strategies to keep themselves and others safe at school and at home.

Who is this programme best for?*

*Building Belonging and You Good? You Good! are prerequisites for attending our Jade Speaks Up programme.

Participants of this course can expect:

Embodied learning activities for students to build and maintain healthy relationships.

Practical tools and approaches to open up a safe, trusting space for children to talk about their life and experiences beyond the classroom.

Practical safety plans and self-care strategies for your students.

A short animated film for classroom use that sensitively opens the topic of family harm.

Facilitated discussion on the scale and dynamics of family harm and violence in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and its impact on children.

To consider teacher well-being and how to use or expand your networks of help to support yourself if needed.

Professionally facilitated conversation regarding school policies and procedures for responding to disclosures.

We will cover:

Dealing with Disclosures of Family Violence

Gain the confidence and know-how to respond appropriately and compassionately to disclosures of family violence, ensuring children feel heard and supported.

Safety Planning

Teach your students how to plan and act in potentially unsafe situations, enhancing their personal safety and confidence.

Addressing Family Harm

Openly discuss the impact of family harm and how to stay safe, providing critical support to students who may be facing such challenges.

Managing The Next Step

Develop a clear understanding of when external help is necessary, ensuring students receive comprehensive support when needed.

See Our Course Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

The Course Modules You'll Teach

What the children will be learning:

Module 1

Keeping ourselves and others safe:

Discussing everyday situations which can become unsafe or scary.
Viewing and analysing the 'Jade Speaks Up' film considering: what makes some people violent - an animated film developed in NZ with a character 'Jade' who learns about emotions, self-calming and strategies to keep herself safe around angry adults whose behaviour becomes scary.
I am learning that the way people feel can lead to helpful or unhelpful behaviours.
I can identify what led up to the unsafe interactions in Jade's family.

Module 2

Personal strength plan:

I am learning how to tell where a safe place is and where a safe place is not.
I am learning to know when I don't feel safe and how to stay safe.

Module 3

Choices to keep ourselves and others safe:

I am learning to demonstrate my ability to make choices to keep someone else safe.
I am learning to identify the pressures that can influence interactions with others and ways to act responsibly and respectfully to support myself and others.
I am learning to consider what I've learnt from this programme and how to apply it to my everyday life.

Book now

Jane Smith

"One of the strongest messages I gained from this workshop was that a child lacking a voice in a violent home will be powerless and become lost. They won’t reach their full potential and lack self-belief. Adults have many stressors in their lives, with different ways of reacting to these stressors. If the child becomes a victim of this they need to know that someone understands, and can find help and support for them... (read more)"

Lisa Sell

"Jade Speaks Up is useful for everyone, not just children at risk. Before I did it, I was concerned that some of the content might frighten some students, but this never happened. In fact, the course has been created with such sensitivity that students found it meaningful and real whatever their situation in life, and no one was overwhelmed by the content. The students also found it fun and they still play several of the games that they learned (read full testimonial)."

Eve Tonkin - Principal, Timatanga Community School

"Jade Speaks Up is the programme with an explicit focus on keeping safe and Waikowhai Intermediate is embedding Jade Speaks Up into our delivery of the Health curriculum. Jade Speaks Up brings classes together and teachers see the improvements in student language to deal with issues. The programme fits very well culturally with the demographic of the school. It fits very well being woven through different curriculum areas."

David King - Principal, Waikowhai Intermediate School

"I have been waiting 6 years for a programme like this that addresses the high needs in our school , impacted by the triple trauma of earthquake, shootings and Covid-19. The JSU programme uniquely caters for all, including the students with complex needs, those with trauma, and those in stable home lives. The programme allows all to participate and shine."

Teacher - Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School

"Jade Speaks Up makes it OK for letting students at risk know that they are not the only one living in these situations and the programme is really good for opening up the students to the opportunities to tell their stories."