What's Faith Got to Do with 'It': Relationships and Sexuality Education in Faith-based Schools

Join the Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Project for this free after-school professional development webinar in collaboration with Fida Sanjakdar and Caitlin Humphrys!

About the Webinar

This webinar aims to support teachers, educators and school staff to learn insights and considerations about how to be inclusive of Catholic and Muslim faiths in school-based RSE. Our presenters will speak to the needs, considerations, similarities, fears and myths related to RSE in faith schools or religiously diverse groups. The webinar aims to share relevant advice, practical strategies, resources, tips and considerations to assist best-practice RSE.

There will be 10 minutes of question time at the end of the presentation. If you have a question that you would like to ask anonymously, please note it in your registration or send it to rseproject@curtin.edu.au.

This is a free and online event. Can't make it? Don't panic! The event will be recorded and housed on our YouTube channel. Please register so we can email you the event recording once it is available.

About the Presenters

Fida Sanjakdar is Associate Professor in the School of Education and Culture in the Faculty of Education at Monash University. Her research expertise lies in the areas of critical sexuality education, the intersections between religion, culture and sexuality education, Islamic Education and Islamic schooling, teaching controversial issues and real- world ethics.

She is the author of ‘Living West, Facing East: The (de)construction of Muslim Youth Sexual Identities’ (2011, Peter Lang, NY), lead author of 'Re-searching Margins: Ethics, Social Justice and Education' (with Gabriel Fletcher, Amanda Keddie and Ben Whitburn 2022, Routledge) and co-editor of ‘Critical Pedagogy, Sexuality Education and Young People’ (2018, Peter Lang, NY) with Professor Andrew Kam-Tuck Yip (University of Nottingham). More recently, she has completed an international edited volume entitled 'Engaging Critical Pedagogy in Education: Global Phenomenon, Local Praxis' with Professor Michael Apple. 

Caitlin Humphrys is a consultant specialising in Consent and Respectful Relationships Education, with extensive experience supporting schools, teachers and leaders to create cultures where respect, consent and human dignity are actively promoted. She holds a Bachelor of Counselling and a Master of Theological Studies specialising in Bioethics.

Drawing on expertise in counselling, education, pastoral care, formation and Catholic ministry, Caitlin works with school communities to develop age-appropriate approaches to relationships and sexuality education, safeguarding, student wellbeing and staff formation. Her work combines contemporary research and evidence-based practice with a deeply Catholic understanding of the human person, enabling schools to engage confidently with complex social, ethical and pastoral issues. Through professional learning, curriculum development, leadership formation and community engagement, Caitlin is passionate about equipping educators with the knowledge, skills and confidence to foster safe, respectful and flourishing communities.

About The RSE Project
Based at Curtin University, The RSE Project provides a range of professional development opportunities to Western Australian schools (K-12) in the area of relationships and sexuality education (RSE). Our training aligns with the Western Australian curriculum and is suitable for all school sectors. Our focus is on supporting teachers (both pre-service and in-service) to deliver RSE in schools. As we strongly advocate that schools embrace a whole-school approach to RSE, we are keen to also support school administrators, support staff, community health nurses and others who work in schools.

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Chat with The RSE Project at rseproject@curtin.edu.au