School: Centenary Heights State High School (QLD)
Partner: The Older Mens Network Inc.
2010 QLD State Impact Award winner and National Impact Award winner
Centenary Heights State High School is situated in Toowoomba, a regional city in Queensland, and services many rural communities. The student population has increased over the past six years to reach its current enrolment of 1193. The school has two campuses, one of which caters to a unique group of students who do not, for one reason or another, succeed in a mainstream school. This annexe called the Toowoomba Flexi School has an enrolment of 70 students. These students come from a range of backgrounds and experiences, many of which are extremely challenging.
The Older Mens' Network (TOMNET) is made up of a group of hundreds of members, fifty of whom assist our students. The Seniors are drawn from both the major centre and surrounding district. They are retired professional men and tradesmen who have a wealth of knowledge and skills to offer. They assist weekly; building relationships and supporting students, improving their numeracy and literacy and undertaking specific projects. They also support the unit financially through donations of money to purchase equipment, improve the facilities and provide food for students. The University of Queensland produced an on-line Mentoring Training Program, a Governance Group oversees the planning for the students and provides human resources to undertake activities, Toowoomba Regional Council provides the facility where the activities are held and Toowoomba East Rotary provides financial support for the projects undertaken.
Through the monitoring processes of student achievements conducted at the end of each term, an increasing number of students over time were found to be failing academically, socially and emotionally. Many were disengaged, some were homeless or living in situations that was contributing to their poor performance at school. These students were damaged from the things that have happened to them and were struggling with many aspects of their lives.
The partnership between TOMNET and Centenary Heights - Toowoomba Flexi School was formed as a result of an ever increasing number of Seniors volunteering their time to assist the teachers and students. Students who are at risk of dropping out from formal education in Years 10, 11 and 12, are supported through a mentoring program. The Seniors and the teachers have the chance to share their expertise and the students benefit by becoming re-engaged with learning. The school aims to ensure that every child feels valued and respected in their community and is offered access to activities, education or work opportunities that are relevant to their unique circumstances.
The activities are carefully planned and monitored and TOMNET provides a special contact with each individual student through intensive one-on-one mentoring to help students feel that they are an integral part of the community. TOMNET has been involved in these programs for four years. The activities or projects undertaken differ from year to year, based on the needs and interests of the students, resources available and the skills, knowledge and abilities of the volunteer mentors. Academic support and building relationships is part of the 'Mentoring a Mate' program and construction and gardening skills are combined with healthy eating tips in the programs 'Vegetable Plot to Plate' and 'Nurture with Nutrition'.
The partnership has consistently produced exceptional outcomes for all involved. The students feel accepted and supported and able to re-engage in learning and work; the school's disengaged students have somewhere to go, someone to talk to and not drop out of learning; and the TOMNET volunteers feel valued. The benefits of intergenerational participation are immense.
