This year, our Grade 9/10 Child Studies classes have been learning about Pregnancy and Parenthood. Students have explored a range of topics including the roles of parents and caregivers, conception, contraception, infertility, and how to care for a mum-to-be including the effects of substances on unborn babies.

We were fortunate to welcome a very special guest speaker - Phoebe and her adorable son Eddie. Phoebe generously shared her personal journey of becoming a mother at a young age, speaking openly about the challenges, sacrifices, and joys she has faced. Her honesty and warmth gave students a firsthand perspective into the realities of teen parenting, sparking some excellent questions and reflections from the class. A huge thank you to Phoebe and Eddie for sharing their story and helping make our learning so meaningful. 

As part of the unit, students also looked into the kinds of foods pregnant people are advised to avoid for health and safety reasons. To make this engaging, they were presented with a platter featuring some of the "off-limits" foods — including soft cheeses, cold deli meats and sushi. This interactive activity helped students better understand the 'why' behind the guidelines.

We're incredibly proud of how respectfully and thoughtfully students approached these sensitive topics. This unit has given them not just health knowledge but real insight into the lives of parents and caregivers.