Challenging the next generation to 'Have a Hmmm'
‘The Thinker’ appeared at three Mid Canterbury primary schools this week during sessions that encouraged the children to think about ways they can keep injury free while having fun.
We laid down a wero (challenge) to the next generation of young Kiwis this week.
“We challenged the kids to ‘Have a Hmmm’,” says Wendi Stewart, our Injury Prevention Partner for the region.
The pose of ‘The Thinker’ is one of deep thought and contemplation. The statue is often used as an image to represent philosophy.
Methven's Primary School Principal Sue Furndorfler 'Having a Hmmm' with The Thinker.
The messages were delivered to kids aged 5-12 at Methven Primary, Our Lady of the Snows, and Mt Somers Springburn schools.
The schools are at the foot of Mt Hutt. Skiing and snowboarding feature in their winter curriculum.
The visit was part of an injury prevention promotion as part of our ‘Have a hmmm’ campaign.
Safe Communities Ashburton District supported ACC to deliver the safety sessions locally as ski safety is a priority area.
Making good choices
Our research shows that 90 percent of injuries are predictable and therefore preventable.
“This was an opportunity for the kids to engage with our ‘Have a Hmmm’ campaign,” says Wendi.
“We encouraged anyone who is heading to the mountain to take the time to assess the risk. They can then make smart choices to keep them injury free and having fun.”
Wendi says the sessions were about making considered choices in high-risk activities such a skiing.
“I hope the “Have a Hmmm’ message is something the kids can adopt and use to consider safety in all situations as they go through their lives.
“We’d like to thank all of the schools for hosting us.”
This winter, ‘The Thinker’ statue first featured on Mt Hutt as we delivered a range of safety focused activity on the mountain.
The kids at Our Lady of the Snows Primary School 'Having a Hmmm' this week.
Tailoring the message
When it came to the classroom, Wendi says a key change was tailoring their messaging to meet the younger audience.
“I asked my 10-year-old son the other day ‘What do you think when I say, ‘identifying and evaluating risk’ and he looked at me and said, ‘what are you talking about?’
“So, I said to him what about if I asked you to ‘Make better choices’ and he said: ‘Yeah I get that’. So that was a good guide for these sessions.
Enjoying the sun and 'Having a Hmmm' - the kids at Mt Somers Primary School this week.
“The key to getting the kids engaged was to make it fun. We wanted to get them to think.”
The sessions introduced the “Have a Hmmm” campaign and talked generally about what Preventable campaign is all about.
“We discussed why ‘The Thinker’ was sitting up at Mt Hutt and delivered some ski and snow safety tips for them.
When asked ‘What did you learn today?’, one of the students from Our Lady of the Snow school said: “I learnt to be safe on Mt Hutt, and that you should listen to your instructor, and have a hmmm.”
The students were taught the NZ Snow Safety Code: Know Your Limits, Find Your Space, Protect Yourself.
The kids had photo opportunities with ‘The Thinker’, there was a colouring competition, and discussions with kids about making better choices to stay safe on the slopes.
“Going to the mountain is a way of life”
In 2021, we accepted 10,820 claims for snow sports injuries, 6,540 skiing and 4,280 snowboarding.
Not surprisingly, the three leading regions for snow-sports injuries were Otago, Canterbury and Manawatu / Wanganui.
Over the past six years, we accepted 6,595 snow-sports related injuries in the Canterbury region.
“Our claims data shows us that the skiing slopes are a common place for injury,” says Wendi.
“Going to the mountain is a way of life for people who live in Mid Canterbury – many of the schools around here include ski trips throughout the winter.
The injury prevention sessions were fun and tailored to the primary school audience.
“We want people to embrace that. We are encouraging anyone who is heading to the mountain to take the time to assess the risk and make smart choices.
“If we can make a difference to these kids at this age then, hopefully we will set them up for a lifetime of staying injury free and enjoying everything the mountain has to offer.”
Follow these steps to avoid getting hurt on the mountain:
- Warm up and stretch before heading up the mountain.
- Have the right equipment – always wear a helmet and protective gear like wrist guards are good to have, as well. The appropriate size and flexibility of your skis/boards are important.
- Be aware of the conditions – check the mountain report and don’t go full throttle straight away. Take a slow inspection run to feel things out and take a second run to test things before getting stuck in.
- Follow the NZ Snow Safety Code: Know Your Limits, Find Your Space, Protect Yourself.
- Follow terrain park etiquette – It’s important that you know the etiquette for skiing/snowboarding in the terrain park. Make sure you are up to speed before going up the mountain.
