AN exciting day at the Wandong Primary School saw an incursion from the St Johns team to teach kids how to give proper first aid in the event of a snake bite.
The kids were included in demonstrations and activities with bandages, learning where and how to tie them in case of an emergency.
The team from St Johns provided the kids with bandage kits to take home in a little gift pack alongside some cupcakes and brochures.
Developed in partnership with CSL Seqirus and launching at Wandong Primary School, the new first aid education module forms part of St Johns free First Aid in Schools program for Grades 3–6.
It teaches students how to recognise and respond to snake bites, avoid risky situations, and apply critical first aid techniques such as pressure immobilisation bandaging.
The launch comes at a time of increased community concern, with snake bite incidents rising across Victoria in the 2025–26 season.
With support from CSL Seqirus, the program aims to reach an additional 5,000 children, particularly in regional communities where snake encounters are more common and access to first aid education can be limited.
St John Ambulance Victoria Marketing & Community Manager Emma Klinakis said empowering children with practical first aid knowledge can have a lasting impact across entire communities.
“Snake bites are one of the leading first aid concerns raised by Victorian communities, particularly in regional areas where children are often outdoors and may be the first on scene in an emergency situation,” Mrs Klinakis said.
“By teaching children how to stay safe and respond confidently, we are not only improving health literacy among young people but helping to build safer and more resilient communities.”
Also, in attendance was one of Melbourne’s best reptiles enthusiasts, Raymond Hoser, who brought close to 20 different pet snakes and his very own crocodile.
Raymond informed the kids through a little presentation about the certain dangers that present themselves when someone is in the proximity of a snake but encouraged them that the reptiles are usually friendly and will just slither away.
The species of snake also in attendance included Copper Heads, Brown and a Coastal Taipan, the third most venomous snake in the world.
Most of the kids and teachers were thrilled to be able to hold the snakes except a couple, but it was all for a good cause to teach the kids about safety and scenarios that they might find themselves in within the future.
Any schools looking to be part of St Johns free education module can head to www.stjohnvic.com.au/community-programs/first-aid-in-schools/
“I was incredibly impressed by the way this was presented and delivered to our students. Students were clearly engaged and thoroughly enjoying the range of hands-on activities and energy in which the presenter delivered the content. Very impressed!” Aimee, a teacher from Manifold Heights Primary School said.
