JT kicks off Get Ready Queensland schools comp

Classrooms across the state can be in the running for a visit from rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston with Get Ready Queensland’s 2021 schools competition launching this week.

All primary schools are encouraged to enter the competition, which helps students learn about natural disasters and how to prepare for them in a creative way.

Teachers can select a range of activities from the Get Ready Queensland website including worksheets, a snakes and ladders style board game and online challenge for students to complete. To enter, teachers need to take photographs of students completing the activities and submit online.

Get Ready Queensland Ambassador Johnathan Thurston said the Get Ready program helped Queenslanders to protect themselves and loved ones in times of disaster.

“Kids are great champions for change – I see this in all the work I do in communities across Queensland,” Mr Thurston said.

“I can’t wait to visit the winning school and talk with students about the disaster risks in their area and the steps they can take as a family and school community to prepare for them.

“Having witnessed the impact of natural disasters on my own community in Townsville, as well as across the state, I know what a difference it can make to how families experience and recover from disasters when they have an emergency plan and kit in place.”

Last year’s winning school was Peregian Springs State School on the Sunshine Coast. Principal Gwen Sands said the visit from Johnathan Thurston and the Get Ready team was an amazing experience for the school community.

“Many of our students and staff were directly impacted by the devastating bushfires that ripped through Peregian Springs in late 2019,” Ms Sands said.

“The Get Ready Queensland schools competition was a fantastic way for our students to learn about disasters in a fun and engaging way and I would encourage all schools to consider entering this year’s competition.

“It was wonderful to have Johnathan Thurston visit our school and speak to students and staff about disaster preparedness – the whole school was buzzing for days!”

The competition closes 6 October 2021. For resources and information on how to enter, please visit www.getready.qld.gov.au/schools