School: Camden Haven High School (NSW)
Partner: The Whiddon Group (TWG) – Aged Care Facility
Camden Haven High School is a rural government secondary school with a 2009 enrolment of 768 face-to-face students and 867 distance education students, with 95 per cent of students commuting to school via buses.
In 2007, some year 9/10 girls were identified as lacking in self confidence, engagement and communication skills. Some were experiencing a challenging home life with siblings or parents having disabilities, and some were at risk of disengaging in studies and leaving school prematurely. This led to the school establishing its cafe skills program, which combined school-based skills training, industry visits and a celebratory event catered for by the students at the conclusion of the program.
The program was initially devised in consultation with school staff, local business owners and the coordinator of the Mid Coast Youth Career Services. Students were carefully selected on the basis of need by the school’s Learning Support Team and other relevant staff. Parents were informed and students were invited to participate.
By 2008, a number of partnership businesses had been sold, and a long-term stable partner was required to ensure the continuity of the program. The Whiddon Group Aged Care Facility was identified as an established organisation with the flexibility to accommodate the needs of the program. It was also seen as mutually beneficial for students to interact with the elderly residents through cooking, entertainment and story-telling.Students have now completed a number of visits to the facility, including the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea, the Great Cook Off, where aged care residents and students cooked together, and a celebration where students prepared and served morning tea to aged care residents and staff. By this time, students in the program had already progressed to catering for regular school events, including formal assemblies, parent-teacher nights, and the Combined All Schools State Horse Sports Event at the local showground amongt others.
The program has been of great benefit to the student participants. There has been improved attendance and punctuality, and the engagement of students in learning has improved, including compliance with the requirements of assessment tasks. Communication has improved, with students becoming more confident, respectful and courteous when speaking to teachers, adults and peers. Self esteem has improved noticeably for a number of students, and one in particular is no longer at risk of self harm. Students have become more capable and interested in working as members of a team owing to their experiences working with the Aged Care residents and their peers.
Through industry visits, some students are now aware of greater opportunities for themselves in the workplace and have enquired about employment options. There have been fewer disciplinary infringements at school, and students in the program are now wearing their school uniform regularly. Some have improved their own personal presentation. A number of graduates have gained employment, and some have been identified as having leadership qualities.
The Impact Award funds have come at a good time for the school, as there is no longer financial support from Mid Coast Youth Career Services. The partnership is now between the school and The Whiddon Group.
The award money will be used for a variety of purposes, including the funding of time release for teaching staff, funding for teacher aides when special needs students are undertaking the program, transport costs, replacement of cafe skills uniforms, upgrade of computer software and a range of consumables and equipment.
