MOE releases guidelines for supporting well-being of LGBTIQA+ students

<h2>The Ministry of Education &lpar;MoE&rpar; has published a set of guidelines to support the inclusion&comma; safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQA&plus; students&period;<&sol;h2>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">This guidance isn’t a set of hard or fast rules or indicative of any policy changes in this area&comma; but rather advice for school leaders and teachers as they navigate issues that may arise as they work to create an inclusive learning environment&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Information published on the MOE website includes&colon;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<ul style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">&NewLine;<li>understanding sex&comma; gender and sexuality diversity<&sol;li>&NewLine;<li>creating a school culture where all students are included&comma; visible and valued<&sol;li>&NewLine;<li>addressing immediate environmental&comma; physical and social needs of students<&sol;li>&NewLine;<li>creating an inclusive classroom that supports all students to achieve&period;<&sol;li>&NewLine;<&sol;ul>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">Research shows that LGBT students are less likely to ask for help if they are upset&comma; have higher risk of mental health issues and fewer &OpenCurlyQuote;protective factors’ such as a sense of belonging at school&period; Partnering with students&comma; teachers and parents in planning for the inclusion and well-being of all students means everyone can be confident that school is a safe and affirming environment&period;<&sol;p>&NewLine;<p style&equals;"text-align&colon; justify&semi;">School leaders can also find out how students at their school really feel through the free <a href&equals;"https&colon;&sol;&sol;wellbeingatschool&period;org&period;nz&sol;about-ws-tools" target&equals;"&lowbar;blank">Wellbeing&commat;school student survey<&sol;a><&sol;p>&NewLine;