Published on: 6 September 2013


Boys from Pre-Primary to Year 2 enjoyed a puppet show on personal safety last week performed by Constable Care and his friends. The incursion ties in with the Preparatory School’s Protective Behaviours curriculum, which will be rolled out in 2014.

Year 1 teacher Grace Curtis said Constable Care presented a story about Ellie and her robot Anthea. When Anthea encounters a difficult situation at home she learns from Ellie’s grandmother that her body belongs to her and nobody has the right to touch her without her permission.

“Ellie’s grandmother teaches her about the importance of not keeping secrets and how to identify her early warning signs,” Ms Curtis said. “Anthea learns that uncomfortable feelings, such as butterflies in her stomach, her heart beating faster, wobbly legs and sweaty hands, are some ways in which her body is telling her something is not right.”

Ms Curtis said the puppet show also helped the boys learn about the difference between safe and unsafe secrets. “If the secret is a surprise or exciting then you feel safe and comfortable. These are not secrets forever. However, if someone has asked you to keep a secret forever, or that you will get into trouble for telling, the secret is unsafe.”

Constable Care also taught the boys about the ‘helping hand network’. “In the story, Ellie and Anthea learn to identify five people close to them that they trust and feel comfortable talking to. When one person on your helping hand is not available, you always have someone else to turn to. If they don’t hear you – keep trying!”

Ms Curtis said the overarching message for the boys was that everyone has the right to feel safe at all times.