Schools
Jade Speaks Up is a system which trains and supports teachers, schools, and counsellors. It offers an engaging way for children to learn and integrate strategies to keep safe from violence.
Te Mana ō tātou Tamariki - Kōrero Pono - The power of our children - Speaking truth
A programme in schools to support children's wellbeing & safety
Jade Speaks Up (JSU) is a teacher-led programme. JSU gives children in Years 5 to 8 practical relational strategies. They learn emotional literacy and self-agency tools to develop trusting relationships, build resilience and keep themselves safe from bullying and family harm.
JSU is closely aligned with the Ministry of Education’s Health Curriculum (2007) and addresses 5 of the 6 outcomes in the government’s 2019 Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. This programme aims to show that by intentionally including learning about skills connected to relationships and opening up the topic of family harm within the classroom, children learn to be able to ask for help. This positively impacts on attitudes, behaviours and academic performance.
Between 2017-2019 with the support of ACC, 123 teachers of 8-12 year old students delivered the JSU pilot programme with nearly 3500 students, across 18 schools in Auckland, Eastern Bay of Plenty, Christchurch and Dunedin participating in this study. Dr. Geoff Bridgman from Unitech evaluated the programme on an annual basis. The 123 participating teachers contributed forthright feedback which was used to guide the on-going development of the programme and resources.
JSU builds culture change in classes that continues long after the programme has finished:
- Teachers observed their students make the biggest improvement in attitudes and behaviours that were of greatest concern to the teachers (68%-91% of classes)
- 41% of teachers noted literacy improved and 65% noted a drop in frequent anger issues at follow-up
- 48% of teachers at post-test note non-school issues of concern are more likely to be disclosed, with 41% noting further improvement at follow-up.
