Hands on Learning is an innovative education program that caters to the different ways young people learn.
Small groups of students work collaboratively on authentic building projects that provide a platform for students to engage, grow confidence and achieve success at school. It fosters strong, long term relationships that help young people develop the skills and abilities they need to succeed in work and life like collaboration, problem solving, communication, resilience and empathy.
The Hands on Learning Program commenced at the end of term two this year, with St Joseph’s College, Echuca Specialist School, Echuca College, Kyabram P-12 College and Rushworth P-12 College working together to offer the program to students.
The program aims to provide students with real-life skills, including goal setting, communication, leadership, teamwork, goal setting, initiative and creativity. There is a focus on building self-confidence, resilience and gives students an opportunity to learn in an environment outside the normal classroom structure.
Projects are student-led, with the support of the Artisan Teacher, giving ownership and a sense of accomplishment through creating amazing spaces and items for the wider school community to enjoy.
St Joseph’s College and Echuca Specialist School are working collaboratively to complete projects, including an outdoor space featuring a pizza oven. The pizza oven has been built from scratch, by the students, under the guidance of Artisan Teacher Jamie Harding.
Echuca College participants have not only refurbished an old storage shed on site to create a working space for the program and created an outdoor activity space called the ‘Gaga Pit’.
Students from both groups have also recycled and repurposed a large quantity of materials, including old bike parts and timber products for use in the projects.
The Moama Bowling Club funded a grant to purchase the tool trailer and tools for the program, which is shared across schools who are participating and School Focused Youth Service provided funding for materials used to complete the various projects across the schools.
December 2019
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