Smashed was launched in Australia in 2018 and is delivered as a live program by Gibber Education Australia and online via smashedonline.com.au.
The Live program has so far reached more than 104,000 students, with 563 performances across 474 schools. In July 2021, the program was further extended with the launch of the online version, a free one-hour session that follows the same three characters in a fun and interactive e-learning module. The online module can be taught in the class-room or completed by the individual student. It allows for all students across the nation, particularly those in regional or remote areas, to access the skills and knowledge delivered by the program regardless of whether the live performance is visiting an area or not.
The program is intended to help reduce the prevalence of early alcohol use amongst young people by engaging participants in a safe and motivational learning environment. It is designed to enable young people to explore the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and to equip them with the facts, skills and confidence to make responsible choices and foster informed attitudes that reduce alcohol-related harm among teens.
Live performance evaluation of students confirms that 95 per cent are able to accurately identify the key dangers and risks associated with underage drinking after taking part in the Smashed program.
The Smashed Program (live and online) is linked to state health and physical education curricula for the age group, targeted to year 8 and 9 students.
Andrew Yates, Head Teacher of Student Wellbeing at Terrigal High School has spoken about the benefits of the program, commenting: “Smashed has been an important part of our wellbeing program since 2018. Gibber present the dangers and consequences of drinking alcohol under-age in a way that our students really engage with. They recognise the characters and the whole thing from the language used to the humour is on their level and the students appreciate and respond to that.”
“Watching them interact with the actors and working out ways for the characters to deal with peer pressure is great to see and shows us as staff that the program is working. We would highly recommend Smashed to other schools and look forward to welcoming them back this year.”
Gibber Australia CEO Tim Watt says: “The Smashed program has been and continues to be an incredibly effective way of connecting with young people around the risks of underage drinking and alcohol misuse. The live program has resonated really successfully with students and the online extension of the program enables us to continue this conversation but on a much bigger scale. Smashed is now empowering young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to make healthy life choices around alcohol, throughout Australia.”
Australian Secondary Principals’ Association President Andrew Pierpoint has also endorsed the program, saying: “Smashed is an important program which teaches high school students about the dangers of underage drinking and the risks of this destructive behaviour.
“I encourage all schools and students to take part in the Smashed program, especially those who won’t have the opportunity to see the live performance at their school, to take part via the online program” Mr Pierpoint said.
With the online course available ongoing via smashedonline.com.au, the Smashed Live tour is currently underway in schools across Australia this year.
For more information on The Smashed Project, contact tim@wearegibber.com
