City Develops Safe Partying Workshop for Students

The pilot workshop will be run by facilitators and will involve St John’s Ambulance Officers, WA Police and Fire and Emergency Services.

The interactive lesson will involve students and stakeholders role-playing common risky behaviour scenarios as a way for the young people to determine the safe partying alternatives.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the workshop was developed because the City knew that young people learnt best when they were actively involved in the process.

“We didn’t want to put forward a lesson where young people were simply sitting and receiving information passively as we knew this might fail to get these important messages across to students,” he said.

“The interactive and drama-based nature of this workshop brings the partying environment to life and allows young people to be actively involved in the role-playing. Students will be able to use their imaginations to develop safe partying alternatives and this student-centred learning is the most effective way to learn.

“The safe partying workshop will consider risky behaviours and decision-making in relation to drinking at parties, drink driving and accidents in the lead-up to the leavers and summer holiday period.

“St Johns Ambulance Officers, WA Police and Fire and Emergency Services will share their knowledge, while the students will be encouraged to discuss their own partying experiences.

“The involvement of so many stakeholders in engaging with young people will give a human face to vital emergency services, keen to engage with and earn the trust of young people.

“If deemed successful external funding will be sought to roll the interactive workshops out to other local schools in 2012.

The concept was initiated by the Safer Melville Advisory Committee and also supports the Directions from Young People strategy and Public Health and Wellbeing Plan.

Further information is available by calling 1300 635 845 or visit www.melvillecity.com.au