Police riot shields, batons, gas masks and helmets proved a perfect icebreaker for the launch of Fired Up! English at Chisholm Institute.
Others among the 600 students from Chisholm’s South East campuses sat behind the wheel of a Victoria Police car, blaring its sirens and flashing its lights.
Or took the chance to use SES equipment to cut a metal ring, or to handball a footy.
Fired Up! English is a revamped 12-lesson fire-safety course developed jointly by Chisholm and the CFA.
The course provides “contextualised” learning of fire safety protocols as well as language skills for culturally diverse students in English as Additional Language classes and the Adult Migrant English Program.
“It’s giving people the real resources they need to be safe and part of the community,” Chisholm’s Ann Irving said.
“In a recent class, two of the students showed interest in becoming career firefighters.
“In the past, a number have joined their local brigades as volunteers.”
During the activity day in Dandenong on 19 March, a crowd of students dressed up in riot gear at the Australian Federal Police display stand.
AFP officer ‘Jerry’ wearing a mask, helmet, Kevlar bulletproof vest, radio and armed with a Glock, baton and capsicum spray happily posed for photos with eager fans.
He said the stall was about showcasing the police’s “capabilities” and encouraging new arrivals to engage with police.
“We’re here to help.
“We go to a lot of CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities, visit a lot of mosques – especially after unfortunate events (such as Christchurch on 15 March).”
Detective Sergeant Tony Stafford said the aim of its stall was to show what the AFP does – such as counter-terrorism, international drug investigations, peacekeeping, embassy security and cybercrime.
“The importance of cybersafety is growing.
“A lot of the diverse communities have little understanding of it. So we help them protect themselves in that space.”
Chisholm Institute chief executive Dr Rick Ede said the TAFE was focusing on “broader student engagement”.
“The fire safety program launched today is part of our work to ensure our culturally and linguistically diverse student body is well equipped with the wider set of life-skills they will need to thrive in our community,” Dr Ede said.
“These skills can then be shared by our students with their families, friends and others in their community.”
