Road Safe HB, Police and Flaxmere College (along with other agencies) partnered up to support students of Flaxmere College to participate in the CACTUS (Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit and Support) over an 8 week period.
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Recently the Road Safe HB Child restraint technician, Liz Schlierike participated in a joint operation with Police focussing on child restraints. Often people are unaware that child/baby car seats expire. This is the recipient of one of the lucky draw prizes.
During the operation several Early Childhood Centres and Kohanga Reo where visited. The received information packs and lucky draw prizes. The Road Safe HB team are in Wellington for the Injury Prevention Network Forum.
 Last Friday a group of Flaxmere College students, staff, parents and siblings staggered into school just after noon, drenched in sweat, exhausted and every one of them smiling.They had just completed “the longest day” - the final part of a Combined Adolescent Challenge Training Unit Support (CACTUS) programme under the auspices of Flaxmere College, Flaxmere police and Road Safe HB.CACTUS is a youth initiative that focuses on physical activity, challenges, leadership and team spirit. Road Safe HB provides road safety information to the students and the families.Road Safe HB co-ordinator Linda Anderson says “We would like to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the students but also the dedication of the police, instructor and the many volunteers that support this programme.”This is the third time the intensive, eight-week programme has been run in Flaxmere. Building up to this final day, Year 11 - Year 13 students, whanau and staff have been starting at 6am three times a week, spending an hour on fitness training with trainer Pita Lloyd, before hitting the showers and then sharing breakfast.“They have built their strength and confidence,” says the Programme Co-ordinator constable Mike Kaye of the Flaxmere Police.“They have learned discipline and teamwork and discovered how far they can push themselves. They know what they can achieve now, if they push.”The group included a mixture of family members, school staff, all there to support the students. Parent Poko Gill had gone through the programme last year supporting her daughter Karamea. She and Karamea have since returned to support the new crops of students on the course. Poko has now completed three CACTUS challenges. Not only does she undergo the training alongside the students, but is instrumental in making the breakfasts everyone tucks into afterwards.“I’ve missed one day, when I was sick,” Poko says. “It’s good to get to know all the kids, and today was massive - some of them wanted to stop but the others wouldn’t give in, they encouraged each other and pushed each other, it was so cool to see.”Mike Kaye says the students had completed 30km that Friday, starting at 6am and finishing by towing a fire engine from Flaxmere Avenue into the village centre.It was the day Year 13 student Hinehou Ryland had been dreading right from the start.“I was scared of this day. But it’s the best feeling and I’m sad it’s finished. I’ve learned self discipline. I know my limits now and I know how to push them.“I’ve also discovered what I want to do with my life - I will be studying sports and recreation.”Flaxmere College principal Louise Anaru completed the challenge alongside her students and six of her staff.“These students always had potential, but now they have learned to work as a team and to push through. Everyone took each other through to the end, it was inspiring.“We feel really well supported by the police and Road Safe HB. It shows that when we all work together we can achieve so much more for our young people.”
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