The school’s youngest pupils, those from foundation to grade two, had lessons in first aid this week from St John Ambulance First Aid in Schools Program.

The importance of checking for danger, patient response, dialling 000 and being able to provide information were on the agenda, as was more hands-on treating skills including bandaging their buddies.

And that’s where the fun lay.

“At St Alipius we are committed to child safety and especially to empowering children to keep themselves safe,” said principal Eileen Rice.

“The St John's Ambulance Schools Program supports this premise and provides students with specific skills and knowledge to respond positively when accidents happen. First Aid is an important life skill and St John's Ambulance has provided a positive and practical learning experience for our students; when learning is linked to life children are both engaged and empowered.”

St John Ambulance chief executive Gordon Botwright said the program aimed to train 200,000 students across the state this year.

“Particularly in the home, children are often the only ones around when a health emergency strikes, so it’s important we provide them the opportunity to learn and develop real-life first aid skills from an early age”, Mr Botwright said.

“First aid techniques such as how to check for danger, clear the airways and move someone into the recovery position are practices that school kids are more than capable to apply and are proven to save lives”.