Brooke: August 2013

For the past day and a block, the year 8 Rimu girls went to a self defense course over at the school fitness centre. We had done the same programe last year but also doing it this year has refreshed our memory.

On the Monday we went to our lesson, our teacher was called Ali. She was very nice. We talked about situations were we can use self defense. Also that we wouldn't get in trouble if we hurt someone or told them to back off as it is girls' right.

We learnt how to do the ballerina kick were you point you toe and it goes right up in between the legs. Also the shin kick and shin scrap. All of these places are sensitive places and that would have the attacker in pain for a few seconds for you to escape and run away.

Ali told us about stories about girls being attacked by men, there is a 83% chance that the attacker could be someone you know and the other 13% is totally strangers. 98% of men attack girls from the age of 8 but can also be younger as the attacker will think the little girl is weak. The other 2% is girls attacking girls, it is a very slim chance but is still possible.

Girls have the right to fight back if they are being touched in an area that is not were they should touch. The attacker will not expect girls to fight back, but when they do they are mostly likely going to just go.
We also learnt about using natural weapons instead of knives and guns. If you are in your bedroom you could grab a comb and scrap it across his face, rip his nostril or ear. Stabbing a pen in the eyes, he should let go and you will have time to escape.

One thing she told us is to never ever give up hope. The three girls who go found in a basement of a house over 10 years they were beaten. But they never gave up hope to escape and one of the girls did with her 6 year old. Even with Madeline Mcann she was abducted when she was 4 and hasn't been seen since. Hopefully she is still fighting or trying to get out.

A few years ago the police men interview some attackers, and they said they go for the shy people and the weak ones. Most men attack girls because they know they have power over them and is the boss. But if they were to attack strong girl who didn't show fear even though she might be feeling it inside they wouldn't except her to yell or fight back at him.

The thing I learnt was if you are walking some where and a dodgy person is looking at you don't hudge your shoulders and put your head down because they will know you are weak and will mostly likely attack you. If you have your shoulders back and head up they know that you are strong and not afraid.

I think it was good that we went back as year 8 and it reminded us everything. Also being older we understood it more.

Today we went for a hearing loss lesson with Toni. This lesson was to tell us how dangerous loud decibals are to us.

A fact is you can listen to things that are 85d or less for a long period of time. But if you listen anything over 85d then it can ruin your hearing lose, the time decreases with the decibel getting higher and higher.

The thing I learnt was the bird, fish and frogs can repair their hearing loss. If the little hairs get damanged they grow back. But for humans once they are damaged they are permanently damage which can cause losing your hearing later on.

I am going to change the way I listen to my music. Turning down the volume on my phone or ipod so I can listen to it longer.