Education in Schools

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

stands for Menstrual Health and Endometriosis. is a well-health, placed-based secondary school education program. It’s unique, interactive, fun, informative and designed to fit with school curriculum. is age appropriate, embraces cultural and gender diversity to encourage and empower health seeking behaviours utilising various educational tools, teaching strategies and resources.

has gained recognition from the World Endometriosis Society (WES) by being selected as the preferred world educational activity in schools to promote early recognition of endometriosis symptoms and encourage timely intervention. Dr. Catherine Allaire, a trustee of the WES board of directors, said: “the programme has a proven track record of raising awareness and allowing earlier intervention for endometriosis symptoms. Many young women in New Zealand and now in Australia have been helped by this programme, and the World Endometriosis Society is delighted to endorse it”

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. Scroll further down to view a poster prepared for international congresses.

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:

“The talk was incredibly informative, thank you, very valuable and useful information”
“I identify at a transgender, intersex, A-sexual, woman. Thank you very much”
“I have been speculating whether or not I have endo and now I have more information about it”
“I really liked your presentation and I think spreading awareness is really important”
“I learnt not to be afraid to talk about it!”
“Thank you for coming and educating us about something so common :)”

What teachers said:

“This was by far the most professional and highly informative presentation I have viewed. The presenter was outstanding and the presentations should happen in all schools”
“Great presentation, informative, fabulous overall. Great for educating our young women! :)”
“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”
“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 recommend to all schools. Thank you for making time to come visit us”

Adolescent endometriosis education in schools’ influences recognition of symptoms and early intervention.

D Bush, E M Brick, M C East, N P Johnson