Police and partners in the south have come together to spread safety messages – and get local kids clued up.
Gore Town and Country Club hosted the annual Eastern Southland Clued Up Kids event, a collaboration between first responders, local providers and Public Health which reinforces emergency messaging and safety practice.
Ten local schools sent along a total of 180 Year 5 and Year 6 students to the morning and afternoon sessions.
St John facilitated CPR practice, FENZ brought their fire escape tunnel and Land Search and Rescue covered what to do if you get lost in the bush and what to pack for a tramp.
Emergency Management brought their earthquake simulator trailer, Community Networking Trust youth workers engaged the youngsters in mindfulness exercises and Riverton Coast Guard had water safety tips and advice on what to do in a boating emergency.
Our own Constables Katie Haldane and Nicole Jackson supplied a fitness obstacle course and ran a quiz on contacting emergency services using 111.
“It’s a big day but well worth it,” says Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley. “The children were highly engaged and thoroughly enjoyed the variety and interactive sessions.”
One local teacher said the event was awesome for her students, who usually only see police in a negative environment when they come to family harm incidents.
“To have this opportunity to engage, have fun and get positive interaction and engagement with police sheds a whole new light for some of her students,” says Cynthia.
“It breaks down barriers and preconceived ideas.”
Clued Up Kids has previously run in Waitaki and South Otago. It has been going in Eastern District since 2019.
In previous years, students from East Gore School created their own lunchtime event for the younger children, practising CPR, what to do in emergencies, using 111 and practising earthquake and fire drills.
“It’s about creating safer school communities and looking after each other," says Cynthia. "They can also take their learnings and skills back home to their parents, caregivers and younger siblings.”