We have all been out on the street alone at one point in our lives. Maybe it's when you are walking home from school during the week or from a friend's house at weekends. You're tired, it's raining, and you just want to get home… what would you do if you found yourself approaching a group of youths? Or thought you were being followed by somebody on foot or even in a car? What if you were approached…?

These are the types of situations (amongst others) that Streetwise will explore. Through group discussions and role play we aim to make pupils more aware of their surroundings and how to avoid getting into certain situations (i.e. staying safe).

Although we will concentrate quite a lot on avoidance techniques, Streetwise will also help pupils to build their confidence and self-esteem when faced with particular situations. Increasing your awareness about the nature, typical circumstances, and dynamics of various forms of threatening behaviour can help you respond effectively should a threat arise. Remember, staying safe usually boils down to common sense.
An old but reliable proverb is "To be forewarned is to be forearmed". This will be achieved largely through teaching various skills and tactics to enable you to diffuse or redirect negative energy quickly and effectively.

The best form of self-defence is to avoid getting into dangerous situations in the first place. However, it's not always that simple and simply knowing how to get away from a dangerous situation as quickly as possible can also help.
Therefore the 5 week course looks at the three main aspects of personal safety. These are: -

1) Awareness: Difficult situations can arise on your way home, at school, in any street and involve someone you even know.
Increasing your awareness about the nature and dynamics of various forms of threatening behaviour can help you respond effectively and avoid confrontations

2) Assessment: Assessment refers to the process of quickly and accurately evaluating a specific situation in which you feel at risk. In assessing any situation, it is important to take note of where you are and who is involved.

3) Action: The third aspect 'Action' will teach pupils how to react to certain situations that may arise out on the street quickly and effectively. However, it must be pointed out that although we teach a number of simple 'self-defence' techniques, this is not a Martial Arts course.

Last year was the first time we had piloted and run the scheme and we opened it to the 3rd, 4th and 5th years only (The 2nd Year had a 40 minute talk during one of their form tutor periods about personal safety, which we will be repeating again this year with a professional Personal Safety instructor).

Through the feedback given from the boys and the experience of last year, we intend this year to focus on the first four years, although it could become available to the rest of the upper school if there is demand for this.

The course will be run for a different year group during the year. This year we have changed the time to every Thursday Lunchtime 12.35 - 13.15. There will only be places for 16 students at one time and it will be on a first come first served basis.

The First lesson will be on April 21st 2005. As we have a close liaison with 'Milly's Fund' which was set up by Amanda Dowler's parents to promote personal safety amongst children and young adults, we have taken some of the material used in their courses.

For future development we are looking at hosting a Personal Safety Seminar for pupils that will last for approximately 5 hours on a Saturday or Sunday sometime during the academic year. Further details will be available nearer the time.

If you are interested or want to know more about the program please feel free to contact me at school.

Mr. D. Martucci
March 2005