Kairos Community College keeping kids hearts healthy with life-saving grant
Held in the first week of May each year, National Heart Week is Australia’s heart health awareness week, when we are all encouraged to take positive steps to keep our heart healthy. Thanks to a $2,000 grant as part of Stockland’s 2022 Aura Community Grants program, local independent school Kairos Community College in Caloundra has been able to purchase a much-needed defibrillator in a lockable case to support their students to stay heart healthy.
Statistics from Heart Research Australia1 suggest that using a defibrillator within the first minute of sudden cardiac arrest, can potentially bring the chance of survival rate up to 90%. Therefore, early access to a defibrillator is paramount to saving lives.
Luke O’Sullivan, Kairos Community College Caloundra Head of Campus said there were students at the college with heart conditions.
“Two students in particular have conditions that lead to increased heart rates, or massive drops in blood pressure, and we have one student with a serious heart condition that we monitor daily,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
“Having easy access to a defibrillator means students can engage in activities like sport and recreation and cross country with increased safety and confidence.”
The college is committed to ensuring the safety of its students, with all staff First Aid and CPR trained and qualified, including use of the defibrillator, should it be required.
Prior to receiving the grant, the nearest defibrillator the college could access was at the Caloundra Aquatic Centre across a busy main road. In addition to the college, local organisations including the local Scouts Hall and local pool will all benefit from having a portable defibrillator onsite at campus in a more immediate proximity, should the need arise.
“Having our own defibrillator at the college prevents us from having to potentially remove and use another local defibrillator from an external site, and after use, having to replace the charging pads on the defibrillator so this could be used again by another organisation,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
“We want to ensure all people across all sites remain safe and have the highest chance of survival in an emergency situation.”
Kairos Community College opened its Caloundra campus in 2020 and offers educational opportunities for disenfranchised youth who were previously unsuccessful at larger, mainstream schools. Currently, the College's Caloundra campus has just under 60 students, with approximately 19 students per grade in Grades 10-12.
With a strong focus on student wellbeing, relationship building, and helping students obtain their Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) by the end of Year 12, the college also offers pathways for students to obtain apprenticeships, certificates, and trades while studying. Onsite youth workers also offer programs, via external agencies and grants, providing students with opportunities to obtain driving lesson hours, education on positive relationships, rental advice, education on addiction and sexual health and safe driving practices.
Find out more about Kairos Community College by following them on Facebook @kairoscommunitycollegecaloundra
Source: 1 “Cardiac Arrest”, Heart Research Australia