Plumpton High Babies
- Country
- Australia
- Year
- 2002
- Director
- Aviva Ziegler
- Producer
- Julian Russell, Executive Producer Mark Hamlyn
- Finance
- Film Australia National Interest Program
ABC Television - Budget
- AUD 480,000
- Length
- 4 x 26 minute series
Synopsis
Plumpton High, in Sydney's outer western suburbs, is one of the few schools in Australia with a program that supports schoolgirl mothers completing their education. This four-part series follows a year in the lives of some of these young women as they hurtle from girlhood to motherhood. None of it is easy - the decision to give birth, the conflicts with family and boyfriends, the new responsibilities. The school offers them health and welfare support and constant encouragement, but the outcome depends on the girls.
Impact
Plumpton High Babies first screened on ABC TV in February 2003 over four weeks, reaching audiences of nearly 1 million people a week, and was followed by an online forum on the ABC website. It also screened on ABC2 in 2006.
The series was extremely well received, with considerable media interest in the subject matter (see below). It was nominated for several awards including the Logie Award for Most Outstanding Documentary Series and was a finalist in the United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Awards.
Film Australia has produced accompanying teachers notes, available at www.filmaust.com.au and distributes the program (via DVD and VHS sales) to schools, libraries, community groups across Australia, as well as licensing the series to international broadcasters.
Plumpton High Babies is highly suitable for use in professional development and teacher education activities relating to student welfare and school counselling as well as aspects of school equity policy development. Curriculum links include Sex Education, Personal Development, Health and Human Relations, Gender Studies, Human Services, youth, family and parenting studies.
Media comments:
“The documentary has generated further discussion on ABC Radio about the need for more such programs.” Mt Druitt-St Marys Standard – 26 February 2003
“An outstanding show which demonstrates the fine line between good reality TV and documentary… powerful and informative.” Michael Idato, Sydney Morning Herald's The Guide – 24 February 2003
“Excellent documentary series.. Principal Glenn Sargeant and program coordinator Rebecca Cowin deserve an Order of Australia for their work.” Georgina Windsor, The Australian - 6 March 2003.
“Plumpton High Babies is one of the most compelling documentaries to come this way in a long time, not least for its humanity and warmth and for the touching and uplifting way it gets under the surface of the perennially sad story of teenage girls becoming mums too early.” Jenny Dillon, Daily Telegraph Seven Days, 20 February 2003.