Recognise concussion
Pupils learn what to do for injuries
A programme to promote awareness of concussion in the school communities and educate children about recognising, reporting and the importance of recovery has been introduced into Hawke’s Bay schools.
Hawke’s Bay Brain Injury Association (BIA) manager Dairne Withers says the programme has been developed over the past two years and funding from Stortford Lodge Rotary has enabled it to be delivered.
“They have supported us two years in a row with their amazing quiz night and have supported us to secure Rotary funding for this programme.”
Dairne believes constant feedback from the rugby union was motivation for the programme being delivered in schools. During our time working with the HB Rugby Union, we kept getting feedback that children and parents need this education in the schools, because if a child has an accident at school that results in a concussion, the Saturday sport coach is not necessarily going to know about that, so there is a greater risk of further injury.”
Dairne says the aim of the programme is to have everyone aware of signs and symptoms and the importance of recovery. The first to sign up for the programme was Camberley School. Dairne says they have been amazing to work with.
“They have been really proactive in engaging with us and the kids were awesome,” he said.
The programme is made up of education for the staff, for children and for wha¯ nau and the school community. The children’s presentation is interactive and revolves around the message “Stop — Tell an adult”. This links back to the four Rs of Concussion — Recognise, Remove, Recover and Return, Dairne says. Children and families are also provided with user-friendly resources based on the presentation so children can discuss what they have learnt with their wha¯ nau.
Dairne says the programme is flexible and they can deliver to small or large groups of pupils.
“This is great when working with schools of all sizes because we can adapt to the school’s need.”
BIA chairman Brett Morris’ Newfoundland dog Kiana is part of the programme and a real hit with the kids according to Dairne, helping to relay the message and making the kids feel comfortable.
“The students were really engaged and we were so impressed with the way they received the message and participated in the activities and presentation.”
Separate training is run with teachers before going into the classrooms.
“The teachers are then there on the day to support their students during the 20-minute interactive workshop.
“We don’t just come in once and then you never see us again. We aim to become a part of the school community, being there on sports days, etc and checking back quarterly with the schools to see how the message is being retained. We are also hosting parent/wha¯ nau evenings for the school communities so they are part of the programme as well.”
Five schools have so far joined in and Dairne says they are keen for more schools to be involved.
Community educator Vicky Welsby was hired specifically to run the programme.
“I’m so excited to be part of this awesome new programme and be working in our schools delivering such a worthwhile message. We would love to see this rolled out across all Hawke’s Bay primary and intermediate schools and I’m happy to come and chat with anyone interested in getting involved,” Vicky says.
■ Contact Vicki Welsby at educator@braininjuryhb.co.nz, or phone 06 878 6875 or 027 647 6056.