Work Placement & RYDA

Work Placement

A number of Year 12 students participate in work placement as part of their Early Childhood Education studies.  Year 11 student, Jayda Pollard is also undertaking a school-based traineeship with CommBank where she works one day per week.

Year 11 RYDA

Year 11 students recently attended the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program along with students from other local high schools. A group of volunteers from the RYDA campaign were ready to present four sessions on risk, choices, safe driving habits and general driver education. 

The students were divided into two groups at the Cowra Services Club. One group listened to Lloyd Garratt conduct an interactive session on risk, decisions & driving choices. A local police officer, Snr Const Peter Holmes, presented a powerful session on the real consequences of crashes and injury. 

The group caught a bus to the PCYC and continued with two more sessions. Jeff Kinney, an ex-student of Cowra High spoke about the consequences of his motorbike accident in 2015 and the struggles he has had in dealing with the effects of breaking and crushing his spine in three locations. Snr Const Janine Robinson, the Police Youth Liaison Officer at the PCYC, presented a real life scenario, so students could think more deeply about effective decision making. 

The day finished with two more sessions at the airport run by Matt Irvine, Scott Vickary and Bryan Dawes. The practical session watching a car stop at 40, 60 and 80km an hour and then adding a two second reaction time delay had a big impact on the students. It clearly demonstrated the risks of distractions and why using mobile phones when driving heightens the risk of crashing and increases the seriousness of injuries. 

A quick survey of students revealed: 

 "It's heavy, but very informative and worthwhile" (Oliver Perkins)

"It was great because it inspired me to be a safe driver" (Sam Hampton) 

"I really think about safe driving now" (Cameron Roberts) 

" You can buy a fare for a taxi, but you can't buy a life back (Jemma Pokoney)

"I really find the real life scenarios very educational and confronting" (India Johnson)

"Using your phone really increases the risks and chances you could run someone over" (unnamed student) 

Prue Williams and I would like to thank our students for the exemplary way in which they engaged, listened and were respectful for each session. It was a very worthwhile experience for our students. 

Many thanks to the following volunteers: 

Genevieve's Story - Snr Cnst Janine Robinson

After the Crash - Jeff Kinney & Liz Reynolds (HeadSpace) 

Hazards & Distractions - Matt Irvine, Panorama Road Safety 

Stopping Distances - Scott Vickary & Byran Dawes 

Road Choices - Snr Cnst Peter Holmes 

The I in Drive - Lloyd Garratt 

Thanks also to the team of 15 volunteers from the Rotary Club who assisted in the setup, management and delivery of the sessions and a great BBQ lunch. 

Scott Levick

Head Teacher - Adminstration