School: Deniliquin North Public School (NSW)
Partner: MenShed Inc
Deniliquin North Public School is located in a geographically isolated town that is reliant upon agriculture and irrigation. The drought has caused a critically depressed labour market and resulted in substantial financial and emotional strain on families in the area. In response to this adversity, the school has focused on strengthening parental involvement over the last two years, introducing a range of activities designed to draw on this invaluable expertise and improve educational and social outcomes for students.
Poor behavioural patterns, particularly among some boys in the area, have often resulted from the strain put on families during tough economic times. Male role models within homes, the community, and at school are often lacking, and the behaviours of male students within the community are frequently a reflection of this.
To combat this area of need, the school has sought a partnership with a local community group known as the Deniliquin MenShed Inc. The group was formed a little over a year ago to provide a place where retired men in the community aged over 55 can meet, share or develop skills and expertise, in order to improve mental health and foster a sense of self-worth and continued community value. The 46 members of this group meet twice weekly at ‘the shed’, which houses welding, woodworking and metalworking tools and equipment that can be made available for collaborative projects.
Deniliquin North Public School began collaborating with the MenShed in 2009 to deliver practical building workshops to students. These workshops were jointly developed with parent volunteers and school representatives. After the success of these initial efforts, the school is now looking to formalise a partnership that will benefit both organisations.
The initial concept will see the development of an extended series of workshops in late 2009 for delivery to students in Years 3 to 6, and will draw on input from MenShed members, teachers and the District Behavioural Unit team leader. The workshops will then be instituted in 2010.
The project has a genuine community focus. Community awareness and involvement will be encouraged via two community involvement days where parents, grandparents and carers are invited to work with students on projects and contribute their skills and expertise. A celebration that showcases the achievements of the partnership is to be organised. This will include the whole school community, the MenShed members and their families, community groups, local sponsors, Shire councillors, Federal and State members, and the media.
The Deniliquin North Public School and MenShed Inc partnership is a genuinely community focused partnership that seeks to address real community needs during a difficult time in the community’s history, and shows great potential for improvements in behaviour and engagement. It also provides important benefits for the wider community.
