Background teacher notes

 

Days of celebration and remembrance

 

Overview

There are many days of celebration and remembrance related to relationships and sexuality. Here are some ways that these days can be incorporated into your school culture and curriculum:

  • Add to your school calendar and newsletters with links to relevant information and support sites.

  • Display on your classroom board with some information about the importance of the day.

  • A 5 minute share with the class, the staff meeting, the assembly, etc.

  • A guest speaker on the topic (See Background teacher notes: Guest speakers for more information).

  • A themed morning tea or shared lunch with students, staff, P&C, parents.

  • Professional development for staff on a related topic (See Professional Development for upcoming events and Agencies for possible presenters).

  • Have students or staff share their expertise and/or knowledge on the topic area.

  • Read a book to the class on the topic area.

  • Decorate an area of your classroom, staff room, school or office.

  • Display books on the topic area.

  • Watch short videos on the topic area (See Resource section and filter by topic and video for ideas).

  • Listen to music on the topic area.

  • Fundraise for the area of support (e.g. ribbons, badges, lanyards and other merchandise that has been created to help fundraise for the day).

  • Host a special event (e.g. a colour run, a special assembly, an excursion/incursion, dress-up day, dance). 

  • Have students and staff share reasons why the day is important to them or why they think the day is important.

  • Research the history of the day.

Days to commemorate

Date Occasion What the occasion celebrates and/or commemorates Links to sites
14 February Valentine's Day Celebrating love, affection and romance

kids.nationalgeographic.com/celebrations/article/valentines-day

 

 

14 February National Condom Day Promoting condom use and safer sex practices

shq.org.au/national-condom-day-2021/ 

 

14 February (week of) Sexual Health Week Celebrating and promoting sexual health in its entirety 

waaids.com/item/1072-wa-sexual-health-week.html 

 

20 March National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence Promotes ways to prevent bullying and violence in schools and communities 

bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-day-of-action-against-bullying-and-violence

 

21 March Harmony Day (and week) Celebrates cultural diversity

www.harmony.gov.au/ 

 

31 March International Transgender Day of Visibility Celebration of trans pride and awareness, recognising trans and gender diverse experiences and achievements

tdov.org.au/

www.transfolkofwa.org/

 

15 May International Day of Families Promotes awareness of issues relating to families with different themes each year

www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-of-families

 

17 May International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) Celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination 

www.idahobit.org.au/

 

26 May National Sorry Day Acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people forcibly removed from their families

www.reconciliation.org.au/

 

27 May - 3 June National Reconciliation Week Celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians

www.reconciliation.org.au/national-reconciliation-week/ 

 

First Sunday of July (week) National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week Celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

www.naidoc.org.au/

 

28 July  World Hepatitis Day Aims to mobilise action on the elimination of viral hepatitis through a coordinated response

www.worldhepatitisday.org

www.hepatitiswa.com.au/ 

30 July  International Day of Friendship Promotes friendship between people, countries, cultures and individuals to inspire peace

www.un.org/en/observances/friendship-day

 

27 August Wear It Purple Day Fosters supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow (LGBTI+) young people

www.wearitpurple.org/

 

31 August International Overdose Awareness Day Aims to end overdose, remember those who have died 

www.overdoseday.com/ 

 

September Sexual Health Month Aims to expand conversations and resources around sexual health

nationaltoday.com/sexual-health-month  

 

4 September World Sexual Health Day Raising awareness of sexual health and sexual rights

worldsexualhealth.net/world-sexual-health-day/

 

First Monday in September  (week) Women's Health Week Dedicated to all women across Australia to make good health a priority

www.womenshealthweek.com.au/

 

10 September R U OK? Day Raising awareness of mental health and preventing suicide 

www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day

 

 

November WA PrideFest Celebration of LGBTQI+ community - history, presence and future

www.pridewa.com.au

 

20 November Transgender Day of Remembrance Honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of transphobic violence

www.transfolkofwa.org

 

1 December World AIDS Day Raises awareness about issues surrounding HIV and AIDS, shows support for people living with HIV and commemorates people who have lost their lives 

www.worldaidsday.org.au

waaids.com

 

 

3 December International Day for People Living with Disability Aims to increase awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions

www.idpwd.com.au