Hayling College children learn about the dangers of getting ‘Smashed’

Hayling College pupils were transfixed as they watched the drama production, Smashed, which charted the experiences of three teenagers, Michelle, Scott and Lee, as they dealt with the difficulties of adolescence and the pressure to become involved in underage drinking.

After covering issues to such as peer pressure and exam stress the story culminates with a fight which results in Michelle being injured and the boys facing the prospect of being placed in a detention centre.

Year 8 pupil, Millie Tims, 12, said: ‘Young people do come under pressure to drink and the play really helped draw attention to the potential dangers such as health problems and making poor decisions which can affect the rest of your life.’

Classmate, Albert Bancroft, 13, added: ‘I really enjoyed the production. A lot of people can be blind to the dangers but this really showed the risks.’

The college enlisted the support of the Collingwood Learning Theatre Group to help hit home the dangers of underage drinking after identifying it as a potential problem with youngsters on the island. Following the play the children took part in a number of discussion activities as well as reenacting certain scenes to look at how the characters could have made different decisions.

Assistant headteacher and pastoral lead, Helen Cox, said: ‘Eight years ago there were places on the island where older people didn’t visit due to anti-social behaviour associated with underage drinking. We are now part of the Community Alcohol Partnership to help stop young people abusing alcohol.

‘Today’s play was all part of the process of engaging children and getting them on board.’

The initiative certainly appeared to have had the desired affect on students.

Tilly Warner, 13, said: ‘It was much better to watch the performance rather than just learn about the topic in lessons. It was much more visual and shows actually what can happen.’

Millie added: ‘The play makes things much more interactive – it makes it feel like it’s directed at you. The consequences are there in front of you rather than just on a page. It will certainly make me think more carefully about the choices I make.’

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The performance was part of a nationwide tour covering 90 schools and reaching 14,500 pupils. The play, which is sponsored by the multinational beverage company Diageo, has also been performed at St Edmund’s Catholic School and Springfield School.

Actor, Annie Osborne, who played Michelle, said: ‘The aim of Smashed is to provide a hard hitting message which will hopefully change teenagers attitudes towards underage alcohol misuse. It’s to let children know that they are in control of their own actions.’