For over 15 years, the PDHPE Faculty at Deniliquin High School in conjunction with the Driver Education Subcommittee of the P&C, have organised a one-week intensive Driver Education Program for all Year 10 students. A great deal of time and community effort goes into organising this event. Many people and organisations in the community give up their valuable time to ensure that this program can operate. An outline of some of the activities involved is as follows.
Some of the sessions include;
Mental Health & Wellbeing: students attend sessions with our School Counsellor and learn about mental health issues and how to support and seek assistance for a friend who is having a mental health crisis.
Around Town: Students follow the chain of command that would occur in the event of a road accident, from insurance agency & hospital to the police station and then the court. At each place, students will learn what part this agency plays in processing a road accident.
Deniliquin Car Club: practical sessions aimed at improving the students’ driving skills, at the Deniliquin Car Club.
Mock Accident: students witness our emergency services in action as they respond to a mock accident and remove and treat victims trapped in a car following a collision.
Guest Speaker: A range of speakers whose lives have been impacted by road trauma address students and recount the events leading up to these events and the effect this has had on their life.
ATA Truck: this group travels from Northern Australia each year to be a part of our program. The truck is fitted with interactive activities to raise the student’s awareness of scenarios they may encounter on the roads when driving.
First Aid: students take part in a a 2-hour practical session about providing first aid at an accident scene.
Vehicle Self Defence: Presented by past DHS student, Daniel Zrajko, students learn about the issues involved with road rage and how to maintain your personal safety when travelling on public transport.
Fatigue: students will attend a short session with local truck driver Paul Fellows regarding fatigue.
Depot Excursion: students will go on an excursion to local tourist destination, The Depot, to gain an appreciation of the importance of the transport industry in our towns history.
Every student who completes the one week program is eligible for a FREE 1 hr driving lesson with local instructor, Brian Purtill. This lesson is funded by the Driver Education Subcommittee of the P&C. Students can start accessing these lessons with Brian once school finishes for the year.
Mr. Anthony Michael
HT PDHPE, on behalf of the PDHPE Faculty and the Driver Education P&C Sub-committee.