What we do

Hunter Life Education works to support the Life Education programs in the Hunter region.

School programs

Find out more about our Primary School Programs

Find out more about our Secondary School Programs

Find out more about our Early Childhood Programs

Life Education New South Wales is the nation’s largest not-for-profit provider of preventative drug education in schools. The Life Education program is used extensively to complement schools’ drug and health education programs. Life Education is built on the philosophy that prevention is better than cure. Life Education encourages respect for the uniqueness of each individual. At the heart of everything Life Education does, is the fundamental belief that every child is ‘unique’.

The Life Education approach is based on national and international research, together with advice from government and professional bodies and is guided by the Principles for School Drug Education, 2004. Life Education aims to assist schools with their drug and health education programs by working in partnership with state education departments, pre-school, primary and secondary school professionals and the general community.

Hunter Life Education aims to produce the following outcomes in its school programs:

• Increased awareness of the harmful effects of drugs on the young people of the region to reduce the incidence of harm related to drug misuse;
• Assisting to provide and develop the skills and knowledge required by children and young people to make positive health choices; and
• Empowering children and young people to choose a healthy future.

The Life Education programs cover a wide range of topics that are appropriate for a child's age and school year including:

• Alcohol consumption, the short and long term consequences
• The Body and how it works
• Bullying
• Drugs, their use and risks
• Effective communication and positive relationships
• Emergency drug procedures
• Exercise and active lifestyles
• Expressing emotions
• Litter and pollution
• Low risk alcohol consumption
• Medicines, their safe use and storage
• Nutrition and healthy food choices
• Passive smoking
• Peer pressure and coping strategies
• Personal Hygiene
• Personal Safety, including: wearing helmets, stranger danger, safety in public areas, syringe safety
• Tabacco, the harmful effects

Forums

As well as its school programs, Hunter Life Education hosts forums to provide information to bring the community together to discuss current issues. The forums aim to provide:

• Opportunities for families to participate in activities which encourage open and honest communication;
• Opportunities for parents to access relevant drug information;
• Practical strategies for families to improve family management of drug and alcohol issues; and
• A supportive and relaxed atmosphere where families feel comfortable to open up vital communication lines and discuss important life issues.

By adopting this 'whole community' approach to drug and health education through strong partnerships with schools, families and other community health organisation within our community, Life Education can strengthen the capacity of young people to make safe and informed choices for a healthy future.

Parent Forums

‘Talking It Over’ forums to provide information about the range of licit and illicit drugs teenagers may come in contact with.

Family Fun Nights

‘Turn Up! Tune In! Have Fun’. These nights provide the opportunity for schools to bring students and parents together to ensure relevant issues are canvassed in a useful way with greater communication as the desired outcome.

Community Forums

A community driven forum which includes key stakeholders, facilitated by Hunter Life Education which allows the community to raise issues and develop a range of strategies including community education