GLOUCESTER High has launched a five-week pilot program at its new Resilience for Learning Hub.
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Principal Pat Cavanagh said funding from AGL and the donation of a facility in the industrial estate had enabled the school to proceed with a pilot program for four students.
“The hub is an off-site facility designed to re-engage students who have had difficulty in mainstream classes by focusing on achievement of literacy and numeracy goals, social skill development and through facilitating some work in the community,” Mr Cavanagh said.
“The hub is staffed for three days each week with a qualified and capable teacher and a student learning and support officer. It will be ‘fed into’ by community experts and volunteers.”
AGL will donate $11,000 to Gloucester High School towards the hub.
The company’s head of community relations Julie Delvecchio said the program was part of AGL’s commitment to work side by side with local communities and invest in projects which would make a real difference in the lives of young people.
“School is so important in building work readiness and giving kids a better future,” she said.
“Keeping these kids at school will help them reach their potential as valuable members and even leaders of the Gloucester community.”
“We look forward to seeing the results from this program.”
Mr Cavanagh said several of the students participating in the program were already making noticeable improvements in their schooling.
He paid tribute to the staff involved in the pilot program.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support given to this project by school staff and the wider community,” he said.
“The teaching staff for the pilot are David Garland, Mik Wisely and Adam Cameron.
“The support roles will be shared by Anne Martin and Janelle Davis.
“The huge job of organisation has been thoroughly met by Trudi Edman, our head teacher wellbeing, with some fantastic behind the scenes work from Mike King, Michael De Angelis, Lorraine Forbes and Margo Cameron.
“All these staff have given up a considerable amount of their preparation time to support the Hub, and I thank them sincerely.”
Mr Cavanagh said the aim of the pilot program was to continue seeking support from the community to ensure a longer-term project in 2014.
“Following the trial we’ll be preparing a formal report to support future applications for funding,” he said.
Mr Cavanagh said the support of community members Tony Tersteeg and Geoff Marshall as well as backing from the school P and C had contributed to making the program a success.