Attitude Receives Funding Boost For Ed Programme

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An Attitude presentation in action at Kelston Boys High School.

CAPTION STORY
11 August 2008

Attitude Receives Funding Boost For Education Programme

The youth education division of Parents Inc. – Attitude – is set to roll out another series of its successful ‘Sex with Attitude ‘presentations to high school students, after receiving a funding boost from the Sovereign Sunshine programme.

Attitude Manager, Kendyl Smith, said the over $15K donation had been gifted to the programme which teaches students emotional and social aspects of sexuality, and how to develop healthy relationships.

Attitude has been running for 10 years and provides health education programmes to high school students using a variety of media.

“It equips teenagers with the information and skills they need to negotiate their way through the adolescent years and build meaningful lives,” Kendyl said.

Attitude currently delivers a series of presentations to over 80 percent of high schools around the country. Attitude delivers seven different presentations: Attitude – how to handle stress and anxiety; The ‘X’ Factor –social skills and emotional intelligence; Hardwired – facts about drugs and alcohol; The Pits – stress and depression; Get A Life – how to be a good parent and; a two part Sex with Attitude presentation.

“The series has been designed as a preventative strategy for combatting teen suicide, pregnancy and depression.

“Unfortunately, some young people are struggling with suicide, sex, drugs, alcohol and a general lack of direction which is robbing them of their true potential.

“Attitude works in partnership with teachers to cover strands of the health curriculum via our presentations and range of handbooks, teaching resources and video clips.”

Kendyl said feedback from students is overwhelmingly positive and describes the Sex with Attitude presentations as “inspiring”.

“We’ve received positive feedback from students all over the country. They engage with the presentations because we combine the important facts with humour and actually get them thinking.”

The Sovereign Sunshine scheme which is backed by Kiwi actress and mother of two, Greer Robson, helps under-resourced children’s charities by providing them with funding.

Each month the initiative focuses on a different charity group, with members of the public deciding via online voting which charity gets the funding.

To find out more about the programme or to vote for a charity go to www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz.

ENDS

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