Hands on Learning has started this term with ten students beginning the programme on Wednesday the 17^th of August. We were pleased to congratulate the ten students who qualified for the programme by attending interviews and submitting their applications. All students have fitted in nicely and are keen and eager to get their hands dirty.

Our first project is a garden bed retaining wall in the sculpture garden at the end of S block but there are many more projects being organised both at school and in the community.

Payge and Jack described the Hands on Learning Day and how it starts and ends with some personal reflection about how they are travelling and what their key goals are both personally and as a group. After some discussion, they are given their focus plan for the day. This they discuss and then refine every three weeks as they see fit.

Payge outlined when asked about the programme how fantastic the day is, how she has really been enjoying both learning about and using the tools for the projects they are developing. She said it makes her feel a lot better about coming to school and has even helped her focus more in class as she knows the Wednesday will give her a chance to work on something that she really enjoys.

Jack’s commented that learning about the tools and how to actually put a project into action was great. He thinks that this will work nicely with his intended pathway, that it builds on his strengths and makes him also feel more positive about school.

At the end of the day teachers will load information into a student tracker on what the students have achieved and how they have reacted and behaved throughout the day. It is also great to see staff asking questions of what the students are doing and getting a feel for the program

Stay tuned for more news and projects as we move along.

Regards

Rohan Butler & Michael Jackson