24th November 2022
At Godalming College we feel that it is always good to reinforce aspects of safety in these challenging times, therefore we celebrate safety with a week of activities such as talks, videos, workshops and visitors to the College to help students stay safe in a range of situations.
The focus of the activities this year was on safe driving, sexual safety, personal safety and drugs awareness. One of the most-hard hitting is Safe Drive Stay Alive, a challenging presentation recorded by Surrey Fire and Rescue with the help of all emergency services. Students and parents had the option of watching a recorded video or a live event broadcast from Dorking Halls. The performance can be challenging and emotional, designed to shock but ultimately ensure young drivers are better equipped and more knowledgeable.
The driving theme continued with driving simulator games in the students’ dining room so that students could test their driving skills and a Driving Theory workshop kindly hosted by a local driving instructor, Andrew Hodson, provided an excellent foundation for those considering taking their test this year.
The focus on sexual health offered a range of activities and visitors to the College included: Coppafeel (breast cancer awareness), Oddballs (testicular cancer awareness), the NHS with health awareness and advice plus the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre in Guildford offering information. The Fire Service also ran Basic First Aid demonstrations and advice on what to do if you are ‘First at Scene’. All useful knowledge, if in the event, it is necessary.
During safety week we also offered a range of information about Mental Health, E-Safety and local support networks, with organisations such as Step by Step (preventing homelessness and providing personal development opportunities), Oakleaf Enterprises (providing counselling services for young people) and the Samaritans. Girling Hughes E-Safety came in to discuss students’ social media profiles and how these can affect their prospective job and university applications, providing advice and guidance on how to have a safe and meaningful online profile.
Finally, students also had a day of drug safety and education to ensure that young people know the hazards. Our visitors included; the Surrey Police Drug Liaison Officer, Catch 22 who deliver targeted specialist support, On You Surrey who are a stop smoking service and the Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation which provides interactive drug and alcohol workshops for young people, including how to keep safe in social situations and avoid drink spiking.
All of these activities were open to all students and many of our visitors were conveniently located in the student dining room so they were easily accessible. We are very grateful to all the agencies who gave their time so generously to support and educate our students, it is much appreciated. Next term our focus will be on Wellbeing.