Alternative approach aims to rekindle love of learning
Eleven North Brisbane schools, led by Pine Rivers State High School, have secured funding to deliver an alternative educational program to help disengaged students rediscover their love of learning.
Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said the Pine Rivers Alternate Connection Program would support up to 14 students at a time in an engaging curriculum focused on teamwork, communication, problem-solving, research and self-management.
“Thanks to a collaboration between the Department of Education, the Department of Child Safety, the Queensland Police Service and the Pine Rivers PCYC, students aged 10 to 15 years can experience intensive support for individualised learning at community venues,” Ms Boyd said.
“We want every young person to reach their potential and we know that a positive experience in the education system is associated with positive outcomes in almost every facet of life.
“Programs like this one create the right conditions for disengaged young people to engage or re-engage with education and ultimately flourish.”
Pine Rivers State High School Principal, Doug Watson, said they would use resources developed in the UK by the Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network (ASDAN) with the Australian curriculum to deliver an individualised experience catering to the needs of each student.
“The program offers numeracy and literacy as well as life skills such as healthy eating and physical exercise,” Mr Watson said.
“Students will use facilities at the local Police Citizens Youth Club to do activities like rock-climbing, basketball, and boxing and will also have access to a commercial kitchen and vegetable garden where they can learn about nutrition.
“Having an alternative experience like this will allow the kids to re-connect with learning, have the chance to achieve an ASDAN bronze award, and ultimately return to mainstream schooling.”
The program starts in March and aims to intervene early by targeting at-risk students.
Students stay in the program for a term and can continue for up to 12 months while completing a short-course pathway as well as an ASDAN bronze award, a nationally and internationally recognised award that records a learner’s personal skills, qualities and achievements