Safer in school- Swinburne University’s Elspeth King and Monbulk College principal Margaret Ur

By Casey Neill
MONBULK College will use a $50,000 prize to spread fire safety skills to students throughout the hills.
It won the cash through a Schools First Local Impact Award to expand a partnership with Swinburne University that teaches students fire and public safety knowledge.
Since 2005 students have completed a Certificate II in Public Safety at the school through Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).
Swinburne teacher Melissa Cumming said 23 students from Year 10 to 12 were enrolled in the program this year.
“It’s growing every year,” Ms Cumming said.
The program includes guest speakers and fire station field trips and teaches students about volunteering.
“Which is something that’s lacking in that age group,” Ms Cumming said.
She said several former students had signed up with their local CFA following the program.
“But even those who don’t join, just their increased knowledge in general home fire safety, particularly with the area they live in,” she said.
“They’re more aware of what to do around their own homes.”
Monbulk College VCAL co-ordinator Loretta Goldsmith said the school would now expand the project by helping other schools on the mountain to implement the course.
She said students could now complete fire danger assessments, risk identification and more.
“They’re acquiring knowledge all the time,” she said.
“They’ve become confident leaders.”
Ms Goldsmith said they transferred the skills into their lives, contributed to their community and shared their knowledge with their peers and family.
“There were messages out there these kids just weren’t getting,” she said.
Year 12 students Mitch Hatten and Mitchell Cornell have participated in the program over the past three years.
“The benefits to us have been enormous,” Mitch said.
He said it taught students the benefits of volunteering and community involvement, new skills and first aid qualifications.
“We’ve developed teamwork skills and learnt to be leaders,” he said.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges, Parks Victoria and the CFA also support the program.
NAB, in partnership with The Foundation for Young Australians and the Australian Council for Educational Research, awarded the cash last Tuesday (6 October).
It received 1600 applications and selected just 68 winners.
Monbulk College is now in the running for a State Impact Award, which could land them an additional $50,000. The winners will be announced in late October.