Year 10 Baby Project

It’s that time of year again where the Year 10’s had to complete the baby project as part of their PSHE course, where they learn what it takes to be a good parent. The rationale behind this project is to help prevent teenage pregnancy through creating an awareness of the serious responsibilities and demands of parenthood. In Year 9 the class learnt about sexual education and wellbeing, and this activity builds on those lessons in a very experiential way together with the talk hosted last term on a similar topic.

For the next two weeks of the course, starting from 6th – 13th of August, students had to carry around their babies, ensuring that they are well cared for even during classes. Some chose to wrap them in comfy blankets and beanies to keep them warm during the harsh winter, while others impressively put them in baby wraps. However, during the course, two students had broken the number one rule when caring for the baby as they had abandoned it while they went off to class! Due to this, the two parents and the rest of the grade had to attend court, where they were taught the importance of caring for your baby at all times and ensuring their safety, with Mr Engelbrecht as the judge, who ruled in favour of the parents. This was a great way to teach the parents the importance of caring for their child at all times and the real life consequences they may face.

Students by the end had mixed emotions on parenting with some saying how they have “learnt that I will NOT be having ANY children any time soon. But, in a way, I learnt to be more responsible.”  and others very decisively stating “Don’t get pregnant”. 

Overall, it was a successful lesson as the year learnt about what it takes to be good and caring parents and all of the hardships that come along with it. Thank you Ms Everett and Mr E for guiding the Year 10’s through this important course!

– Ella