“I wish I learned this at school.”
— a participant in every session
Welcome to Red Thread Education,
where we teach the art of uncomfortable conversations
for the health of our community.
We offer the health and relationship education you wish you learned at school, where:
we open up conversations around bodies, health, and relationships, in ways that remove shame and centres curiosity
we strengthen people’s tolerance for discomfort, skills for communication, and courage for connection
we use body feedback to guide learning from moment to moment, in an intentional practice of presence
we believe there is power in knowledge, and helping people to understand the cycles that shape them is inseparable from learning how to build healthier cycles for healthier futures; and
we practice what we preach, sitting in discomfort alongside one another to learn together and from each other
We are committed to an inclusive curriculum that is strengthened by its diversity of voices, experiences, and perspectives; because health is connected to the collective.
Every moment of every day, our body is communicating with us. The conversation is constant - telling us about our health, our social and physical environment, and our emotional response to it. Our bodies hold complex information that can teach us about what we need and why. When we learn to understand its language within its context, and how to communicate these needs to others, we will learn how to have healthier relationships.
Red Thread Education values experiential learning over theoretical learning, which is why our programs are designed to move beyond the what of healthy relationships to actively practice the how.
We do this by:
focusing on language and changing the way we speak to and about ourselves and each other to establish new patterns of relating
practicing curiosity and changing the way we respond to difficult conversations in ways that open to more learning through critical thinking and reflection
choosing connection and changing the way we navigate conflict so that we can all learn the courage to set and receive boundaries respectfully
We offer three programs that are flexible, meet learners where they are at, and layer learning holistically. Each program is designed to decentralise learning, emphasising that everyone has a role to play in healthy relationship education, and delivered using emergent teaching practices to shape relevant and meaningful learning experiences.
Red Thread Education is for learners of all ages and phases, to develop the skills they want at the pace they need.
‘Everybody’s body is different.
Our approach to education reflects that.’
— Jade, Director of Red Thread Education
Frequently asked questions:
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There is a proverb that says there is ‘an invisible red thread that connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place or circumstance. It may tangle or stretch, but it will not break’. Jade applies this way of thinking to her practice of teaching, helping learners to broaden their perspective to understand the interconnectedness of our relationships. She helps learners to understand how cycles in history have shaped the present, and how the choices we make in the present can change the cycles in our future. At the same time, the proverb reminds us of non-linearity - that we can draw on our future to give us courage to make changes in our present.
One of the strongest foundations of building a future of healthy relationships is to learn the skills of curiosity - to find common ground with those who are different - and to celebrate diversity as a point of strength for the health of our communities. And what is a greater reminder of common ground that connects us all than the most important red thread within us - the circulatory system that delivers nutrients and oxygen throughout our entire body - our blood lines.
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Every conversation starts with a working agreement.
Working agreements are integral to establishing safe learning environments, helping participants to understand what the boundaries are and the reasons for them. It creates the foundations to healthy relationships by establishing trust through shared values and expectations, and shared language to navigate any conflict or discomfort in respectful ways. We practice consent education by negotiating each working agreement to the individual or group’s needs, and refer to or tend to adjustments throughout the conversation as the needs arise.
The conversations are dynamic in nature.
We practice the philosophy of emergent teaching to respond to learners with flexibility, creativity, and compassion, to support learning experiences that are meaningful. Conversations are led by the curiosity of the individual or group, with every idea woven together to strengthen connection to the learning and to each other.
We practice strengths-based communication that helps learners to feel safe and comfortable, and support personal confidence in exploring topics that typically stir emotions of fear and shame. We believe in the power of language and its capacity to build people’s tolerance for discomfort and safety, and the courage to communicate through conflict with kindness.
Every conversation concludes with a reflection and feedback.
Reflective practice is integral to growth, and to changing how we choose to connect - to ourselves, to each other, and to the cycles that shape our relationships.
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Accessibility is a priority for Red Thread Education.
As such, pricing is flexible depending on the individual or community needs. Connect with us via the form below to open up the conversation and find out more information.