Education in Schools | All about Me | Endometriosis New Zealand

Education in Schools – ‘The best presentation we have had in our health education programme’

stands for Menstrual Health and Endometriosis. is a well-health secondary school education program. It’s unique, interactive, fun, informative and designed to fit with school curriculum. is age appropriate and uses a variety of teaching strategies, presenting techniques and educational tools to evoke thinking and action.

Endometriosis New Zealand has built strong relationships with secondary schools through delivering since 1995. The program is highly acclaimed, well audited and evaluated and recognised internationally. In 2007, was a finalist in the NZ Health Innovation Awards and received the Paul Newman Foundation Award.

The programme is now published in ANZJOG (Australia New Zealand Journal of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The study, “Endometriosis education in schools: A New Zealand model examining the impact of an education program in schools on early recognition of symptoms suggesting endometriosis” by Bush. D., Brick. E., East, M C., Johnson N. (2017) is the first piece of literature globally which examines the outcome of a health education programme in schools and assesses whether it makes a difference.

Click here to view ANZJOG Study

Information for schools…

Did you know?

Endometriosis is known to affect 1 in 10 girls and women
27% of girls aged 13-18 years are absent from school because of distressing symptoms relating to their period
It still takes 8+ years to get a diagnosis from first presenting with symptoms.
Early intervention and treatment is essential
Menstrual disorders in teenagers can have a significant physical, emotional and psychological impact on their health and seriously compromise schooling, quality of life and future fertility.

All About Me Program - Endometriosis Education in Schools

Questions school teachers usually want to know:

How long does the me presentation take?
Approximately one 45 – 60 minute session to fit with your school timetable. can be adapted to suit other situations such as health days or assemblies.
What do schools need to provide?
A projector for the powerpoint presentation. Speakers that connect to a laptop if available.
What size audience is best?
presenters are professionally trained and can adapt to any size group from small class to a full assembly of the whole school
Who is the me programme for?
is suitable for students in years 10 – 13 (14 – 18 year olds). ENZ caters for everyone, and some co-ed schools opt to include male students.
What about the school health curriculum?
integrates into the following strands specifically targeting achievement objectives across a variety of levels.
- Personal Health and Physical Development
- Healthy Communities and Environment.
What is the cost?
Endometriosis NZ actively seeks funding to deliver the programme, however ENZ is a charity and a koha (donation) to our organisation is appreciated.
Where is me available?
can be made available in any school throughout New Zealand. To organise in your school and find out about costs, contact the ENZ office. can be transported worldwide with resources and training made available. Take action for your school now.

What students said (examples of feedback from 2016/2017)

“Considering the fact I’ve never heard of endometriosis, this presentation pretty much game me all the knowledge I needed to know about this.” -Female
“Your presentation is awesome, and game me better insight into what endometriosis is” -Male
“I learnt not to be afraid to talk about it!” -Female
“I think it is great we are being told about endo. THere must be so many girls with distressing pains and other symptoms who think what they are feeling is normal that are being helped by this program!” -Female
“I think it is a really valuable presentation. It should come to every school every year. Everyone should know about endometriosis” -Female

What teachers said (examples of feedback from 2016/2017)

“Very important and insightful for the students to listen to. I think you provide a really important service to our young people. Thank you”
“Excellent delivery and engaging for both/all genders which is fantastic – as often just ‘females’ see the need to know this content.”
“The presenter was amazing! The kids really loved it and it was super informative. Students came up afterwards to say thanks and that they are going to their Doctor to get checked”
“It empowers the girls who live with the stigma of the disease and helps them in their relationships. It shows the girls and staff how to identify the symptoms of endometriosis. Those delivering the programme are very approachable so that girls do not feel too embarrassed to ask for help. It creates a community of support for them at home and school, involving their peers who are not affected”
Your presentation was amazing. I know from discussions from students and from what I saw you were informative, professional and were able to develop an immediate rapport with the year 11 girls. A fantastic presentation that I would highly recomment to all schools. Thank you for making time to come visit us.”