From Director of Student Wellbeing, Matthew Porter
On Thursday 31 May, 45 of our Year 11 students attended the Prevention of Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth (P.A.R.T.Y) Program. The Program involves a full day excursion to the Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney.
Participants spent the day walking in the footsteps of Emergency Department and Emergency Services. They met the Police, the doctors, the nurses, the surgeons, the social workers, physiotherapists and occupational therapists who spend their days helping people piece their lives back together following an incident.
The boys were taught that in this world there a very few real “accidents”. Every day these dedicated men and women see tragic events with life changing consequences typically for young men. Almost all of these incidents are preventable. “Live once think twice” was the motto. The challenge for our boys is to think before they act and to take care of their mates and those that they care about and help them to make better choices as well.
Unfortunately at this stage due to a restructuring of the way the program is provided, 2018 is the last time that Waverley will be invited to Royal North Shore Hospital. There is a proposal to offer this service out of St Vincent’s, however, nothing is confirmed as yet.
If you wish for Waverley boys to continue accessing this invaluable experience in 2019 and beyond then help us by showing your support. Please email me a short statement advocating for the continuation of this program or the expansion and provision of this program in the Eastern suburbs to mporter@waverley.nsw.edu.au.
