Stratford High scoop Gateway Safety trophy

New Plymouth injury Safe Trust ran their second Gateway Safety Team Challenge at the Taranaki HSE Centre on 3rd September and, once again, knowledge of first aid skills and performance in the quick fire quiz was the determining factor in which team won the trophy. Five teams of students, aged 15-16, participated in six safety challenges including road safety, chemical handling, fire safety, working with garden tools & equipment, hazard identification and first aid. 

Students performed well in most challenges although in the first aid module, which some students described as "gory", the difference in points was marked. Karen Lawson, Area Manager for NZ Red Cross, noted that those students who had taken part in first aid training at school were noticeably more confident in this activity. Although the blood was fake it was clear that some students found the activity to be a real challenge. However, dealing with a small stove fire or taking part in a computer based driving simulation activity was something they tackled with relative ease. In the road safety challenge students from each team were also asked questions on the driving code and, when questioned about alcohol limits and driving, all stated that there should be a zero alcohol limit for youth drivers. This is something that road safety co-ordinator Marion Webby finds reassuring, stating that "it suggests that the anti drink driving message is finally getting through".

At the end of the practical activities only one point separated Stratford High from Hawera High. However, it was the quick-fire quiz, with a succession of questions to be answered against a ticking clock, that sealed Stratford's victory with a margin of three points. Spotswood College, winners of the 2008 trophy, came in third place with the two New Plymouth Boys High teams in fourth and fifth place. Feedback from this years' event was positive and all students felt that they had learnt something in each of the six activities. For those safety professionals who ran activities on the day, the event provided a welcome opportunity to refine their skills in time for the Taranaki Business House Safety Challenge that will take place next week! Hopefully our local business representatives will perform as well as our Gateway students!