Safe in Schools

Safe (Safe Accident Free Environment) Schools

Broken and uneven footpaths, leaking water pipes and vacant overgrown allotments were all on the hit list as a team of young detectives hit the streets in Hackham West.

As part of this collaborative project initiated by Noarlunga Health Services, students from Hackham West Primary School were asked to identify hazards that pose a threat to community safety. A 'spot the hazard walk' introduced students to the importance of safety and helped them to identify accident prone areas.

Building on existing links developed between local primary schools this project now has been included as part of the curriculum in four local primary schools.

Once hazards were highlighted, students were encouraged to report them to the agency concerned requesting these potential hazard issues be addressed. Spokesperson for the project, Mary Morriss said the school children were eager to be involved in a project which contributed to the health and safety of their community. SA Police, ETSA, Transport SA, Onkaparinga Council, TransAdelaide, Fire Services and SA Water responded quickly once the hazards were identified.

The success of the project has culminated in the development of an innovative new web-site 'Safe Schools' which will pave-the-way for other metropolitan and rural schools to adopt the project.

Visit the site at http://www.softcon.com.au/safeschools/

For further information about this project please contact Mary Morriss, Community Health Nurse, Noarlunga Health Services on (08) 8384 9273 or mailto:morriss.mary@saugov.sa.gov.au .