Watch Out for Watch Out!

The Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) Program is set to be enhanced to include school children with the development of Watch Out!

Originally known as the Junior Neighbourhood Watch Project, Watch Out! is an outcome of the Community Safety Project’s implementation in the Harris Fields NHW community, in Woodridge. Watch Out! is a joint partnership between NHW; the Queensland Police Service and the Department of Emergency Services, incorporating Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and Emergency Management Queensland. Watch Out! was funded through the Australian Governments Local Grants Scheme.

Watch Out! aims to encourage students to adopt the principles of the NHW Program, within both the school and broader community and is closely linked to the school curriculum’s Key Learning Area outcomes. Watch Out! is also designed to develop skills and provide increased awareness of accident and injury prevention, crime prevention and personal safety.

Watch Out! has been designed to be delivered by school teachers.  It is a unit of work to support the current teacher practice with outcomes and assessment tasks with an emphasis on support from NHW members and local ambulance, fire, SES and police personnel.

Watch Out! is aimed at Years 5, 6 and 7, but activities are easily adaptable for other year levels, small schools, multi-age classes etc. To assist teachers with the implementation of Watch Out! a teaching resource is provided to participating schools. An Information Booklet is also available for NHW members who may be asked to assist in the programs implementation.

The program is currently being trialled in four Queensland schools: Yelarbon State School; Mt Tarampa State School; Kingston College and Warrigal Road State School. A further 20 schools are being sought for rollout of the program in 2007.  If you believe a local school in your area may benefit from Watch Out! contact the NHW State office to register your interest.