By Bridget Cook
STUDENTS from Rivergum Primary School and the local police went head-to-head in a number of fun games recently to help foster a better relationship.
Police visited the school on Friday 11 November for an afternoon of games, soccer and a barbecue to encourage trust, respect and communication between local youths and the police, with the aim to reduce any future misunderstandings as local students approach their teen-years.
The event came to fruition after two students, Kasim Ibrahim and Michael Schreiber, were awarded with an inaugural NAB Schools First Student Award for their exceptional school-community partnership idea.
Their idea to form a partnership between Rivergum Primary School, Victoria Police and their New Emerging Communities Liaison Officer (NECLO) was announced as one of five winners from across Australia in the new award.
As a result, the school received $2000 to assist with the implementation of this partnership idea, while Kasim and Michael received an Apple iPad for their individual contribution and leadership on initiating the idea and submitting the application.
Students and police officers competed in a number of games including sack races, egg and spoon races, a scavenger hunt, tug-of-war and gumboot tossing.
They then took each other on in the highly-anticipated soccer match.
