Youngsters celebrate 111 skills

More than 25,000 Otago children have learnt new survival and first aid skills since the St John Safe Kids programme was launched in 2003.

Children ranging in age from pre-schoolers through to early teens are taught basic skills, such as what to do in an emergency and how to call an ambulance.

Safe Kids tutor Belinda McMillan said children were very enthusiastic about the course, which gave them valuable knowledge and confidence.

Special classes were held at Port Chalmers School yesterday to celebrate the programme running for five years.

Pictured above: 5-year-old Port Chalmers School pupils, clockwise from bottom left, Jamie Ward-Smith, George Scott, Olivia Culbert, Emily Adam, Hepa Hine, Otago Safe Kids tutor Belinda McMillan, Eddie Taylor-Brockie, Max Gray, Harmony-lace Karetai, Tiare Makanesi and Isabella McLean.