Students learn how to stay safe

Vital life lessons have been learned by pupils at a special activities day, held at Greneway School in Royston, aiming to raise awareness of important personal safety issues. The exciting series of events was organised by the school s personal, social and

Vital life lessons have been learned by pupils at a special activities day, held at Greneway School in Royston, aiming to raise awareness of important personal safety issues.

The exciting series of events was organised by the school's personal, social and health education co-ordinator Allan Gee.

They included a series of briefings and workshops given by emergency services, and a video-presentation produced by the Milly's Fund charity.

PSHE, a relatively new part of the national curriculum, is linked to the government's Every Child Matters initiative.

Mr Gee said: "It highlights the importance of individual children, and gives pupils self awareness and social skills.

"It is to do with personal responsibility and safety for themselves and others."

All year groups were involved in the day's activities, as Pc Colin Mingay and Police Community Support Officer Alanna Robinson covered essentials, such as road safety, alongside relatively new themes including protection while on internet chat-rooms, mobile-phone camera abuse and the risks of carrying personal weapons.

Later, the students made posters and board-games.

Year 5 was also treated to a drama performance about firework dangers, and shown first-aid burns treatments by the fire service.

Year 8 children explored text-message bullying, physical aggression and home-alone safety using participative theatrical role-play, after viewing the Milly's Fund video.

Mr Gee said: "The day was very successful. The children enjoyed it all, especially the practical parts, and have raised their awareness of how to keep safe and avoid risks.