Ballacottier School pupils are helping children to stay safe after producing a prize-winning leaflet. Children from primary schools across the island took part in Crucial Crew Week, held at Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education in June, to learn important life skills. They were all asked to design a leaflet illustrating what Crucial Crew means to them. The event’s organising committee chose the best design, and the children who created it won prizes for their class mates.

Ballacottier School 6Q pupils Millie-Jo Purves and Becky Bellhouse produced the winning design and their class was presented with a trophy and a stationery hamper from Shoprite. Their design will now be used to help other children learn about the event next year.

Sgt Wendy Barker, of Isle of Man Constabulary, is Chair of the Crucial Crew organising committee. She said: “The winning design was chosen as it stood out from all the other leaflets and the information contained within it had been carefully researched by the children prior to attending Crucial Crew. We would take this opportunity of wishing all Year 6 leavers all the very best at their new high schools in September.”

Ballacottier School was also presented with a framed copy of the design as a memento of class 6Q’s achievement.

Now in its 33rd year, Crucial Crew has helped generations of children learn important life skills, such as teaching them to know when they should call 999 in an emergency. Over the years there have been many examples of youngsters putting the lessons they have learned into practice in real life emergencies. All the presentations have serious messages about safety, but are delivered in a fun way. Manx Telecom has supported Crucial Crew for many years and this year delivered informative, interactive presentations showing children how they can stay safe whilst online, and encouraging them to use the internet and mobiles safely and responsibly.

All of the pupils who attended this year received Manx Telecom bags containing information leaflets from the agencies involved, plus a pen, key ring, police activity book, and a Coastguard magazine. This year’s Crucial Crew Week included contributions from Isle of Man Constabulary, Coastguard, Manx Utilities, Manx Gas, School Nursing Service, the Department of Infrastructure’s Road Safety Unit, Bus Vannin and St John Ambulance.

The prize presentation to class 6Q took place during a non-uniform day at the school to raise funds for Hospice Isle of Man. The Crucial Crew organising committee has also launched a new logo for the event which was revealed at the prize presentation.

For more information about Crucial Crew go to www2.sch.im/groups/crucialcrew/.

Photo - Pupils from class 6Q at Ballacottier School are presented with awards for winning the Crucial Crew competition. Holding the design are pupils Millie-Jo Purves (left) and Becky Bellhouse. Making the presentation are (left to right) Sgt Wendy Barker, Beckie O’Brien from Manx Telecom, and Inspector Cathryn Bradley.