RSPCA Humane Education Programs

The RSPCA's Humane Education Program teaches kindness to animals and helps develop empathy in students. This program is a FREE service for NSW schools!

Each lesson lasts half an hour. We come to you and teach classes of up to 30 students. Trained RSPCA humane education staff and volunteers can visit one class or we can take the time to visit every class in the school. Each school also receives an All Creatures Club pack including curriculum linked lesson sequences and an informational CD ROM.

At present we have two teacher-qualified Education Officers in the metropolitan area of NSW who provide our full program range. In regional areas we have trained RSPCA Education volunteers who can offer a smaller range of lessons but still provide relevant teacher resources.

Contact the RSPCA humane education department to find out what is available in your area.

What we offer: Primary School Program

Kindy/Early Stage 1 (ES1) - Prevent a bite program

Allows children to learn the correct way to approach dogs and help us to reduce the risk of dog bites. (Curriculum link: Play It Safe PDHPE.)

Year 1 & 2/ Stage 1 (S1) - Max Pack

With the help of our plush toy dog Max, we show students the role of the RSPCA in our society and the skills needed to be a responsible pet owner. (Curriculum links: Workers in the community HSIE, The need for shelter HSIE, Getting along with others PDHPE.)

Year 3 & 4/Stage 2 (S2) - Cat Tales

Because cats are an easy target for cruelty, this lesson aims to encourage positive attitudes towards cats through an exciting and interesting journey through time; looking at cats in history and their amazing adaptations. We discuss important welfare issues and together with the students create a humane home environment for all animals. (Curriculum links: Building my network PDHPE and Living in communities HSIE.)

Year 5 & 6/ Stage 3 (S3) - Playing my part

Students learn about the RSPCA as a charity and its role in the community. Through investigating some local animal cruelty cases and an international case study, students reflect on their own role in the community as a responsible citizen and also think about the part they can play from a global perspective. (Curriculum links: Playing my part PDHPE and Current Issues HSIE.)

RSPCA All Creatures Club

We also encourage primary school teachers and students to start their own RSPCA All Creatures Club to help students raise awareness about animal welfare among their peers. Existing club members create posters and raise funds for their local shelter. Each club receives a CD ROM, badges, certificates and regular updates. Club activities and information can be sent to us to be displayed on our website.

If you would like to know more (Click here)

Created for primary children, the RSPCA Tales series aims to increase children's empathy for animals and their understanding of what the RSPCA does.

Schools ordering a set will receive a FREE teachers resource for lower primary children containing classroom activities that highlight important character concepts such as responsibility, kindness, courage, respect, commitment and fairness. Invoices can be arranged for schools wishing to purchase a set.

What we offer: High School Program

RSPCA representatives offer a face-to-face high school PowerPoint presentation on The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act and the role of the RSPCA in society.

Also available is a PowerPoint presentation on animal related careers - Examples of the many different careers that involve working with animals and the pathways students can take to achieve their career goal.

We are currently restructuring our high school program so keep watching this space for further updates...

Want to know more...

For further information about our primary and high school programs and availability in your local area please phone us on (02) 8666 0112 or email: education@rspcansw.org.au. Alternatively you can complete a booking form and return it to us. When we receive your form we will contact you to discuss your booking in further detail.