Published Friday, 16 February, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
SAFETY PROGRAM FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS LAUNCHED
Disaster preparedness, crime prevention and personal safety will soon join maths, English and geography on the curriculum at Queensland primary schools.
Police Minister Judy Spence and Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell today launched the Watch Out! Program, a new school-based program designed to help young Queenslanders stay safe on the road to adulthood.
Ms Spence said the program will teach school children in grades 5, 6 and 7 valuable skills to help them respond appropriately to unsafe or emergency situations.
“Too often we hear of avoidable incidents and injuries that involve young people, whether at home, in the car or in play,” Ms Spence said.
“According to Kidsafe Queensland (Inc), each year more than 15,500 children aged under 15 years are taken to hospital in Queensland for injuries sustained in the home or yard.
“This new program has been adapted from the Junior Neighbourhood Watch Project and aims to teach young people ‘real life’ skills and awareness to help lead them safely into adulthood.
“The program consists of a series of teaching modules and exercises for the classroom, which cover a range of topics and themes, from basic CPR and first aid, to crime prevention, fire safety, emergency and disaster preparedness and personal protective behaviours.
“This is important, as young people are more likely to become victims of crime than any other age group.”
Mr Purcell said the program was successfully trialed in four primary schools in the last term of 2006 and would be rolled out in 2007 across the state in schools interested in participating.
He said the program was the result of a longstanding partnership between the Queensland Police Service, the Department of Emergency Services and Education Queensland.
“It is great to see police, emergency services personnel, teachers and other members of the community working together to provide such a valuable program,” Mr Purcell said.
“The most common causes of child deaths from unintentional injury are car crashes, child pedestrians being hit by motor vehicles, drowning and house fires.
“This program is about helping teach our young people how to respond to emergency situations, as well as how to avoid injuries in situations such as severe storms and fires.
“We already know that as our ambulance, fire and SES staff carry out community education and awareness programs, it helps people to become more confident in taking greater responsibility for their own safety.
“I am sure that the ‘Watch Out’ program will have the same effect, and I look forward to its further introduction to schools across Queensland.”
Mr Purcell encouraged primary schools throughout Queensland to introduce the Watch Out! program and help students learn valuable personal and community safety skills.
Schools wanting to register interest in the program should contact the Queensland Government on 1300 369 003 for more details.
Media contact: 3239 6172 (Minister Spence’s office) 3247 8194 (Minister Purcell’s office)
Police Minister Judy Spence and Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell today launched the Watch Out! Program, a new school-based program designed to help young Queenslanders stay safe on the road to adulthood.
Ms Spence said the program will teach school children in grades 5, 6 and 7 valuable skills to help them respond appropriately to unsafe or emergency situations.
“Too often we hear of avoidable incidents and injuries that involve young people, whether at home, in the car or in play,” Ms Spence said.
“According to Kidsafe Queensland (Inc), each year more than 15,500 children aged under 15 years are taken to hospital in Queensland for injuries sustained in the home or yard.
“This new program has been adapted from the Junior Neighbourhood Watch Project and aims to teach young people ‘real life’ skills and awareness to help lead them safely into adulthood.
“The program consists of a series of teaching modules and exercises for the classroom, which cover a range of topics and themes, from basic CPR and first aid, to crime prevention, fire safety, emergency and disaster preparedness and personal protective behaviours.
“This is important, as young people are more likely to become victims of crime than any other age group.”
Mr Purcell said the program was successfully trialed in four primary schools in the last term of 2006 and would be rolled out in 2007 across the state in schools interested in participating.
He said the program was the result of a longstanding partnership between the Queensland Police Service, the Department of Emergency Services and Education Queensland.
“It is great to see police, emergency services personnel, teachers and other members of the community working together to provide such a valuable program,” Mr Purcell said.
“The most common causes of child deaths from unintentional injury are car crashes, child pedestrians being hit by motor vehicles, drowning and house fires.
“This program is about helping teach our young people how to respond to emergency situations, as well as how to avoid injuries in situations such as severe storms and fires.
“We already know that as our ambulance, fire and SES staff carry out community education and awareness programs, it helps people to become more confident in taking greater responsibility for their own safety.
“I am sure that the ‘Watch Out’ program will have the same effect, and I look forward to its further introduction to schools across Queensland.”
Mr Purcell encouraged primary schools throughout Queensland to introduce the Watch Out! program and help students learn valuable personal and community safety skills.
Schools wanting to register interest in the program should contact the Queensland Government on 1300 369 003 for more details.
Media contact: 3239 6172 (Minister Spence’s office) 3247 8194 (Minister Purcell’s office)