World Smokefree Day 2011

 This year a challenge went out to primary and secondary school students at the WAVE youth forums to come up with two promotions within their schools to raise awareness of the Smokefree message.  Two schools that took up the challenge on 31 May were Waimate High School and Twizel Area School.

Secondary School Youth Forum 2011 

On 10 May 40 students from eight WAVE schools were accompanied by their lead teachers to attend the Secondary School Student WAVE Team Youth Forum.

The day began with a powhiri into the Mountainview High School auditorium. The first presenter of the day was Smokefree Health Promoter Leola Ryder, followed by an Auahi Kore presentation by RAKA (Rangatahi Auahi Kore ki Aoraki), who empowered the whole audience with their presentation and set the scene for the day.

Different school student WAVE teams presented their issues, solutions and actions that they have done and/or are in the process of doing. This included such topics as improve access flow, SunSmart and water access for sports teams.

The afternoon began with the Urban Team presenting their work on bus shelters in conjunction with Timaru District Council and Ecan. This was followed by a walk-about session at Mountainview High School, while their WAVE team showed and explained the projects (seating and shade, gardening, breakfast club) they have been working on. This also included showing the visitors where their fortnightly meetings are held.

SADD - Vision Goggles Presentation   

The Twizel Area School SADD team conducted a presentation using the very popular "vision goggles" during lunch hour on 26 May 2011. The team did a great job setting up a table and making available lots of resources and information on the effects of alcohol.

The team also set up a number of activities using the goggles, which mimic the effects of intoxication. These included:

• Walking the straight line - hugely funny and quite impossible.

• Navigating yourself through cones - most students ended up turning them over or missing them completely!

• Throw the ball through the hoop - difficult for some even without the goggles!

• High-fives - the majority high-fived the air!

• Catch the ball - probably the easiest task, but still a lot more difficult with the goggles on.

The students at Twizel Area School got to experience firsthand what the possible effects of alcohol can do to your judgment, ability and coordination. The lunch time activity was well received and hopefully left the students aware of their responsibilities around alcohol. 

Thanks to the WAVE team for providing the vision goggles and to the SADD team at Twizel Area School for making this event such a fun one.