Road Safe: Learning objectives and key messages

Learning objectives

Years 0–3

  • Students will be able to identify types of traffic and know that it may be dangerous.
  • Students will recognise the different parts of the road and know how to behave on each.
  • Students will be able to identify the benefits of walking, as opposed to always being driven.
  • Students will have the skills and knowledge to cross the road safely.
  • Students will identify hazards on or near the road and be careful near these.
  • Students will demonstrate appropriate behaviours in and around a vehicle.
  • Students will be able to ask for help with a road safety problem.
  • Students will be familiar with the operation of School Traffic Safety Teams and will follow their instructions.
  • Students can identify safe places to play.
  • Parents, caregivers, school and community will work together to help their students be safe on, and around, the road.
  • Parents and caregivers will model safe behaviour on or near the road.

Years 4–6

  • Students can demonstrate safe pedestrian and passenger behaviour and encourage others to do the same.
  • Students can demonstrate safe cycling practices when learning to ride bikes in a controlled situation.
  • Students can identify potential hazards when walking or cycling in their local community and can use appropriate strategies to keep themselves safe.

Years 7–8

  • Students can identify safe and unsafe practices of pedestrians, passengers and cyclists.
  • Students demonstrate knowledge of traffic law relevant to them, and to other road users they may encounter.
  • Students develop skills to identify and respond to traffic hazards.
  • Students understand the importance of being a good role model to others when using the road.
  • Students describe safe ways to carry out leisure activities that take place on roadways.
  • Students identify their own risk-taking behaviour and its consequences.
  • Students can take an active role in assessing, and promoting change in, local roading systems.
  • Students can provide help to other road users in need of assistance.
  • Students can confidently and safely move further from their local area by themselves.
  • Students can demonstrate safe cycling practices.

Years 9–13

  • Students can identify with people involved in a drink-drive crash and recognise the far-reaching consequences.
  • Students can make an informed choice to comply with the drinking and driving laws.
  • Students can have skills and confidence to resist pressure from others who try to involve them in drinking and driving.
  • Students can identify strategies for getting home safely from occasions when alcohol is involved.
  • Students can know of the existence of SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk) and be prepared to discuss the SADD Contract with a responsible adult.
  • Students can communicate with family and friends about issues relating to drinking and driving.

Key messages

Years 0–3

  • I know what traffic is.
  • I know that traffic can hurt me.
  • I know I must be careful on the road.
  • I can help myself be safe on the road.
  • There are other people who can help me be safe on the road.
  • I know that walking is good for me and the environment.
  • I know the different parts of the road and how to behave on each.
  • I can cross the road safely with an older person.
  • I will stop, look and listen before I cross the road.
  • I can tell when it is safe to cross the road.
  • I can decide what to do to keep safe on the road in risky situations.
  • I use the safe way I worked out with my caregiver to get to and from school.
  • I know to get out of a vehicle on the footpath side.
  • I can make my safety belt ‘click’.
  • I can behave in ways that keep myself and others safe when I’m a passenger.
  • I can get on and off the bus safely.
  • I know why we have school patrols, traffic wardens and bus wardens and I will follow their instructions.
  • I will play in safe places.
  • I can decide what to do when I face a hazard on or near the road.

Years 4-–6

  • I know how to be a safe passenger.
  • I know how to be a safe pedestrian.
  • I can help others to be safe pedestrians and passengers.
  • I must wear a safety approved bike helmet, correctly fitted, whenever I ride my bike.
  • I must check my bike regularly to make sure it is safe.
  • Knowing the Cycle Road Code will help keep me safe.
  • I must ride my bike in a safe place and in a safe way.
  • I can spot traffic hazards and decide on safe strategies to manage them.
  • I can keep safe on my way home.
  • I know that roads aren’t safe places to play.
  • I am still learning skills to keep safe on the road.

Years 7–8

  • I know and will obey the traffic laws.
  • I am aware that there are penalties for not obeying the traffic laws.
  • There are traffic signs that cyclists, as well as other traffic, must obey.
  • I will be a safe cyclist.
  • I don't want to be a statistic.
  • I can change my unsafe behaviour on the road.
  • I can recognise and respond safely to a traffic hazard.
  • I will model safe road user behaviour.
  • I can have fun, look cool and still be safe.
  • I must weigh up the consequences before taking a risk.
  • I can plan a safe and successful trip.
  • I can take responsibility to help someone in need.
  • I can help influence local roading issues.

Years 9–13

  • If I, or my friends, choose to drink and drive, there could be far-reaching consequences.
  • I can make sensible decisions about drinking and driving.
  • I should respect other people’s decisions not to drink and drive.
  • I can influence others in their decision not to drink and drive.
  • My life is precious and so are the lives of others.
  • I need to plan ahead to keep safe.
  • Drinking and driving can kill and maim.
  • Death is final; being maimed is agony.
  • I should obey the laws relating to young people and drinking.
  • A SADD Contract could help keep me safe.

Kia Kaha: Acknowledgements

The New Zealand Police would like to thank all those who were involved in the development and trials of Kia Kaha since its inception.

In particular, we thank the following people involved with year level resources:

Years 0–3

Constable Ian Anderson New Zealand Police, Masterton
Judy Barns South End School, Carterton
John Murray St Patrick’s School, Masterton
Dawn Nippert Specialist Education Services, Lower Hutt
Owen Sanders New Zealand Police, Wellington
Patricia Smith Fernridge School, Masterton
Gill Palmer New Zealand Police, Wellington
  • Design by Jane Ough
  • Illustrations by Jo Maxwell
  • Stories Happy Spring and Crocodile on the Roof by Diana Noonan

Years 4–6

Marin Adams Specialist Education Services
Veia Gleeson Mercer School
Didee Mizen Mangatangi School
Karen Purdie New Zealand Police, Pukekohe
Owen Sanders New Zealand Police, Wellington
Noel Surrey New Zealand Police, Papakura
Pa’i Vavau Manurewa Central School
Sue Wilks Finlayson Park School
Sylvie Wilkinson Specialist Education Services
Debbie Woolliams Manurewa West School
Gill Palmer New Zealand Police, Wellington
  • Illustrations by Jo Maxwell
  • Birthday Party Poster from Telecom
  • Story No More Muesli Bars by Norman Bilbrough

Years 7–8

Viv Harris Nelson
Christine Houia Broadgreen Intermediate
Steve Knight Parklands School
Elaine Porritt St Joseph’s School
Ian McKitrick New Zealand Police, Nelson
Owen Sanders New Zealand Police, Wellington
Gill Palmer New Zealand Police, Wellington
  • Illustrations by Jo Maxwell
  • Story Don’t Cry for Billie by Beverley Dunlop
  • Story Once Bitten by David Hill
  • Illustrations from Once Bitten are reproduced by permission of the publishers Learning Media Limited on behalf of the Ministry of Education, PO Box 3293, Wellington, New Zealand, © Crown. 1994.

Years 9–13

Christina Ashby Rangiruru Girls’ College
Rosemary Carpenter Central Hawke’s Bay College
Morris Cheer New Zealand Police, Wellington
Mark Cleary Colenso High School
Kerre Devonport-Ward Taradale High School
Deborah Dench New Zealand Police, Te Awamutu
Shirley Eddy Sacred Heart College
Sue Harlow Hornby High School
John Hodgen New Zealand Police, Papanui
Elahe Khaleghian Tangaroa College
Chris Mene New Zealand Police, Sydenham
Karen Purdie New Zealand Police, Papakura
Alan Pyke Christ’s College
Jenny Robertson Education Consultant
Owen Sanders New Zealand Police, Wellington
Michelle Schuman Edgewater College
Paul Verheyen New Zealand Police, Christchurch
Sylvie Wilkinson Group Special Education
Andrew Wood Edgewater College
Anne Woodroofe Aorere College
Gill Palmer New Zealand Police, Wellington

The Police would also like to thank:

  • all the schools who took part in the trials
  • Graeme Lay for permission to reprint his story Dear Mr Cairney
  • David Hill for permission to reprint Bully for You
  • Elspeth Alix Batt for the cartoons in the health modules.

Kia Kaha (for years 9–10)

Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.

The New Zealand Police recommends that schools use the learning activities in Kia Kaha within a whole-school approach. Before running learning activities, please read information about implementing a whole-school approach as described in an whole-school approach as described in an implementation booklet (PDF, 1.4MB).

What students will learn

These year 9–10 resources will help students to learn:

  • about the impact of bullying
  • a range of personal skills to prevent bullying
  • what they can do if they have been or are being affected by bullying behaviour.

Four focus areas

Kia Kaha years 9–10 includes four focus areas plus an activity bank of 24 ideas for additional learning activities. 

Focus area 1: Bullying defined

Students can define what bullying is and explain why bullying is unacceptable.

Focus area 2: Bullying unravelled

Students describe how bullying makes people feel, analyse a range of behaviours associated with a bullying incident, and consider positive things they can do in bullying situations.

Focus area 3: Managing bullying

Students list strategies to manage bullying and practise appropriate action in bullying situations.

Focus area 4: Healthy groups and relationships

Students identify the characteristics of healthy groups and relationships and explain what it would be like to be in a healthy relationship.

Activity bank

Twenty-four additional learning activities (PDF, 785KB)

Kia Kaha (for years 11-13)

Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.

The New Zealand Police recommends that schools use the learning activities in Kia Kaha within a whole-school approach. Before running learning activities, please read information about implementing a whole-school approach as described in an implementation booklet (PDF, 1.4MB).

What students will learn

These year 11–13 resources will help students to learn:

  • a range of personal skills to prevent bullying
  • what they can do if they have been or are being affected by bullying behaviour
  • actions they can take to prevent bullying in the community.

Six focus areas

Kia kaha (years 11–13) includes six focus areas plus a bank of 24 ideas for additional learning activities.

Focus area 1: Bullying revisited

Students demonstrate an awareness of bullying in schools and society.

Focus area 2: Societal bullying

Students identify examples of societal bullying reported in the newspaper and suggest changes to overcome this.

Focus area 3: Rights and responsibilities

Students recognise their own and others’ rights and responsibilities to minimise the risk of bullying.

Focus area 4: Deciding on strategies

Students plan strategies and demonstrate interpersonal skills for responding to bullying situations.

Focus area 5: Cyberbullying

Students describe the misuse of information communications technology and have strategies to minimise the risk.

Focus area 6: An action planning process for years 11–13

Students take actions to create a safe school environment.

Activity bank

Kia Kaha (for years 7–8)

Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.

The New Zealand Police recommends that schools use the learning activities in Kia Kaha within a whole-school approach. Before running learning activities, please read information about implementing a whole-school approach as described in an  whole-school approach as described in an implementation booklet (PDF, 1.4MB).

What students will learn

These year 7–8 resources will help students to learn:

  • about the impact of bullying
  • a range of personal skills to prevent bullying
  • what they can do if they have been or are being affected by bullying behaviour.

Four focus areas

The learning activities are arranged in four focus areas.

Focus area 1: No more bullying

Bullying is a problem that will not go away unless addressed effectively. Students identify bullying, realise that it is unacceptable and take positive steps to create a bully-free environment. [Updated 2017]

Focus area 2: Knowing and respecting others

Students learn about discrimination linked to cultural difference, sexual orientation, gender, academic ability, personal growth, age and disabilities. They identify the hurt attached to such discrimination.

Focus area 3: Bully-free zones

Students consider the importance of a sense of well-being, with freedom from bullying. They decide on features of a bully-free class and school and take steps to put these into practice.

Focus area 4: A gathering in our bully-free zone

Students share what they have learnt in Kia Kaha.

 

Bullying-Free NZ resources

Police also recommend using senior activities from the school activity pack, which although developed for Bullying-Free NZ Week, can be used at any time of the year. It contains activities and initiatives that can be used with multiple age and class levels.

The activities are designed to explore what bullying is, the types of bullying, and the feelings involved in a bullying incident; plus to help students think about who they can turn to for support.

Schools can pick and choose the activities that will work best for them and their students. Each activity can be used as a stand-alone short task, or schools can combine several for a longer session.     

 

Kia Kaha (for years 4–6)

Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.

The New Zealand Police recommends that schools use the learning activities in Kia Kaha within a whole-school approach. Before running learning activities, please read information about implementing a whole-school approach as described in an whole-school approach as described in an implementation booklet (PDF, 1.4MB).

What students will learn

These year 4–6 resources will help students to learn:

  • about the impact of bullying
  • a range of personal skills to prevent bullying
  • what they can do if they have been or are being affected by bullying behaviour.

Four focus areas

The learning activities are arranged in four focus areas.

Focus area 1: You and me

Students learn about the rights and responsibilities that they have as class members, and understand how important it is to respect these. 

Focus area 2: Hurting

Students learn about the impact bullying has on long-term health and attainment of the victim. People who bully may have failed relationships and may end up breaking the law.

Focus area 3: Putting a stop to bullying

Students apply develop and practise a range of strategies to stop bullying. The school fosters a ‘telling’ ethos and will do something to stop bullying. The school’s policy on bullying is shared with the class.

Focus area 4: A cool community

Students create a hypothetical bully-free community and apply the understandings they have gained throughout the programme. 

Bullying-Free NZ resources

Police also recommend using activities from the school activity pack, which although developed for Bullying-Free NZ Week, can be used at any time of the year. It contains activities and initiatives that can be used with multiple age and class levels. 

The activities are designed to explore what bullying is, the types of bullying, and the feelings involved in a bullying incident; plus to help students think about who they can turn to for support.

Schools can pick and choose the activities that will work best for them and their students. Each activity can be used as a stand-alone short task, or schools can combine several for a longer session.      

 

 

 

Kia Kaha (for years 0–3)

Through Kia Kaha students develop strategies for respectful relationships where bullying behaviours are not tolerated.

The New Zealand Police recommends that schools use the learning activities in Kia Kaha within a whole-school approach. Before running learning activities, please read information about implementing a whole-school approach as described in an implementation booklet for primary schools (PDF, 1.4MB). 

What students will learn

These year 1–3 resources will help students to learn:

  • a range of personal skills to prevent bullying occurring
  • what they can do if they have been or are being affected by bullying behaviour.

Six focus areas

The learning activities are arranged in six focus areas.

Focus area 1: The same but different

Students learn to accept and celebrate diversity. They learn to empathise with other members of the class and to realise the ways we are the same and are different.  

Focus area 2: A happy, safe classroom

Students identify what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in different contexts, and identify things that they can do to make it even better.

Focus area 3: Let’s all be friends

Students learn what bullying behaviour is and that it is unacceptable. They know some strategies to overcome it. They identify places in their school environment where they feel safe to play.

Focus area 4: I have choices

Students learn how to turn a potentially negative situation into a positive one.

Focus area 5: Helping hands

Students identify situations in which they may need help from bullying and decide who the appropriate person would be to ask for help. They practise asking for help.

Focus area 6: We have made a difference

Students bring together learning from Kia Kaha as they work and play with their peers, older students and parents.

 

Bullying-Free NZ resources

Police also recommend using junior activities from the school activity pack, which although developed for Bullying-Free NZ Week, can be used at any time of the year. It contains activities and initiatives that can be used with multiple age and class levels. 

The activities are designed to explore what bullying is, the types of bullying, and the feelings involved in a bullying incident; plus to help students think about who they can turn to for support.

Schools can pick and choose the activities that will work best for them and their students. Each activity can be used as a stand-alone short task, or schools can combine several for a longer session.     

 

Kia Kaha: Information for teachers

Bullying behaviour harms children and their educational and life outcomes. Bullying is not new and is an issue that all schools face.

About Kia Kaha

Kia Kaha consists of a comprehensive range of anti-bullying resources to help children and young people learn and apply a range of safe practices that they can use to build and maintain successful relationships throughout their lives.

The New Zealand Police recommends that learning activities in Kia Kaha operate within a whole-school approach as described on the Bullying-Free NZ website:

How teachers can support Kia Kaha

Teachers are strongly encouraged to support Kia Kaha through:

  • considering their attitudes and values towards bullying
  • understanding the importance of addressing bullying as part of a broad and balanced curriculum
  • increasing their understanding about bullying and the use of effective pedagogies 
  • encouraging the principal to establish and regularly review a bullying policy with explicit prevention and response procedures as described on the Bullying-Free NZ website developed by the cross-agency Bullying Prevention Advisory Group.
  • using school data to provide context for lesson content. Data can be generated through Wellbeing@school student surveys.

Data gathering

Gathering data, especially from students, is important to determine the level and type of bullying that occurs, whether existing efforts are working, and get a full picture of what’s going on, rather than rely on how things appear on the surface. Data can be used to suggest particular areas of focus to prevent harm, and to provide a baseline for monitoring outcomes over time.

Police recommend the Wellbeing@school surveys as a useful tool to gather and analyse school data about bullying (the Ministry of Education has announced this tool will be free of charge until the end of 2018).  

Kia Kaha resources

A range of resources is provided for teachers as part of Kia Kaha. These resources include:

 

Bullying-Free NZ resources

Police also recommend using teaching activities from the school activity pack, which although developed for Bullying-Free NZ Week, can be used at any time of the year. It contains:

The 2018 school activity pack includes the following:

  • Activities and initiatives that can be used with multiple age and class levels. These are designed to explore what bullying is, the types of bullying, and the feelings involved in a bullying incident; plus to help students think about who they can turn to for support. Schools can pick and choose the activities that will work best for them and their students. Each activity can be used as a stand-alone short task, or schools can combine several for a longer session.
  • A competition for schools, where students create, develop and promote bullying prevention messages through creative media, in line with this year’s theme Let’s Talk About It!  Closing date for competition entries is 1 June 2018 (following Bullying-Free NZ Week).
  • Information for schools on media releases, developing polices, professional development ideas, a ‘whole school approach’ framework, and a catalogue of what’s in the Bullying-Free NZ school toolkit.   

 

Kia Kaha: Information for parents/whānau

Bullying behaviour harms children and their educational and life outcomes. Bullying is not new and is an issue that all schools face.

About Kia Kaha

Kia Kaha consists of a comprehensive range of anti-bullying resources to help children and young people learn and apply a range of safe practices that they can use to build and maintain successful relationships throughout their lives.

The New Zealand Police recommends that learning activities in Kia Kaha operate within a whole-school approach as described on the Bullying-Free NZ website. In the whole-school approach, parents and whānau contribute to and support the programme.

How parents/whānau can support Kia Kaha

Parents and whānau are strongly encouraged to support Kia Kaha through:

  • encouraging the Board of Trustees to establish and regularly review a bullying policy with explicit prevention and response procedures as described on the Bullying-Free NZ website developed by the cross-agency Bullying Prevention Advisory Group.
  • encouraging other parents/whānau to attend the parent meeting before the classroom lessons start
  • supporting their child with the range of home-based activities that are included in the Kia Kaha programme.

Bullying advice for parents, caregivers and young people

Factsheets on bullying behaviour:

Kia Kaha: Information for principals and Boards of Trustees

Everyone has a vested interest in children and young people developing positive and respectful behaviours that promote safety for themselves and others.

Kia Kaha consists of a comprehensive range of anti-bullying resources to help children and young people learn and apply a range of safe practices that they can use when interacting with others.

Police strongly recommend that any bullying prevention approaches in schools (including Kia Kaha) are implemented in accordance with the advice provided by the cross-sector Bullying Prevention Advisory Group on the Bullying-Free NZ website.

Principals and Boards of Trustees are strongly encouraged to support Kia Kaha by establishing and regularly reviewing a child protection policy with explicit prevention and response procedures. 

Learning activities in Kia Kaha should operate within a whole-school approach, for example the model described in the roadmap on the Bullying-Free NZ website:

Gathering data, especially from students, is important to determine the level and type of bullying that occurs, whether existing efforts are working, and get a full picture of what’s going on, rather than rely on how things appear on the surface. Data can be used to suggest particular areas of focus to prevent harm, and to provide a baseline for monitoring outcomes over time. Police recommend the Wellbeing@School student surveys as a useful tool to gather and analyse school data about bullying (the Ministry of Education has announced this tool will be free of charge until the end of 2018).
 
Police support principals and Boards of Trustees to implement Kia Kaha with a range of resources, including:
  • an implementation booklet (PDF, 1.4MB)
  • a comprehensive range of curriculum-linked, age-appropriate and evaluated learning activities available in the Resources section of  the Schools Education portal
  • School Community Officers (formerly called Police Education Officers) to support a parent evening, staff workshops, the occasional classroom lesson, and describe the programme to the Board
  • the pamphlet Kia Kaha: Your community must stand strong against bullying (PDF, 789KB) which describes the Kia Kaha programme
  • additional audio-visual teaching resources that are available from the School Community Officers.