Learning life-saving skills
Learning opportunities in St John are equipping Stephen Potter for a career in medicine.
Stephen is not sure if his working life will start in nursing, as a doctor or in another medical field, but he can confirm his voluntary work in St John will continue.
A year 12 student at James Hargest College, Stephen received St John’s top cadet award, the Grand Prior, in Christchurch recently.
The award sits alongside two others won by him – South Island and Southland Cadet of the Year. ‘‘It’s been a big year for me.’’ The Grand Prior is presented to cadets who pass a series of tests and complete 100 hours of community service.
He said he had learned many medical skills and gained confidence since joining St John six years ago. Its youth programme had changed his life.
‘‘I want to keep supporting the youth programme,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s given me so much . . . I want to give the ones coming through the same opportunities.’’
Stephen, 16, is a cadet sergeant and most months he makes at least one weekend trip to the St John training base at Waddington, near Christchurch. He attends to upskill himself, help teach training modules and to do mentoring.
Another of his goals is to be a qualified first responder for ambulance work. He’s halfway there having already passed the first of two clinical responder courses.
‘‘I would love to drive and work on an ambulance.’’
For the second year, Stephen is in the South Island team to take on northern and central in the St John National Youth Championships in Auckland on April 15-18. Tests will be on various sections of St John’s work.