The Engagement Express
Issue no. 1
May 2017
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Welcome to The Engagement Express
Feedback from many of you regarding the need for positive and proactive communication between organisations who work with young people has resulted in production of the new Engagement Express by Highlands LLEN.
In October 2016, the forum organised by the Central Highlands Child and Youth Area Partnership and facilitated by Foresight Lane identified a range of starting points to help achieve the changes required to improve the engagement and retention of at risk and disengaged young people. Since then, the concept for this communication strategy has grown and expanded.
We hope that you find this newsletter informative, helpful and inspiring. We also welcome your input into the future editions of The Engagement Express. We anticipate monthly or bi-monthly distribution at this stage, please let us know what you think of our newsletter. Please forward this newsletter to anyone who might find it useful and suggest they subscribe by clicking this link.
Regards,
Jannine Bennett
Executive Officer of Highlands LLEN
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Latest News
State Budget
- $7.9M two-year extension of the Navigator program in its current locations, to provide intensive support to secondary-age students who are disengaged from school.
- Funding of 25 Apprentice Support Officers to help young apprenticeships stay successfully engaged in their training and work.
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Exciting Resources & Reading
Big Picture Education
Big Picture Education Australia is a not-for-profit network of educators implementing a distinctive design for schools in a range of different community settings.
Their purpose is to influence vital changes in education.
Their motivation is that too many of our young people are not achieving their potential. Many are not engaged in school learning and some do not complete school.
The Big Picture program
- started in the US in the 90s
- there are 200 Big Picture schools worldwide
- there are 41 Big Picture schools in Australia, with 2,500 students
- nine of 40 Australian universities now accept Bic Picture students
Article:
www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-30/big-picture-pathways-to-learning/8400426
Big Picture Education Australia website:
www.bigpicture.org.au
"Preparing Young People for the Future of Work"
Article by Kate Torii and Megan O'Connell, Mitchell Institute at Victoria University
During 2016 the Mitchell Institute brought together a group of leaders from across Australia to consider how we prepare young people for the future of work.
This Roundtable of education practitioners, government leaders, policy specialists and researchers put forward two ideas about how Australia’s education system can change to accelerate innovation and improve transitions to employment:
- Transforming senior secondary education; and
- Revitalising apprenticeships
The Roundtable purposefully included diverse views and perspectives and even so, there was absolute consensus on the need for change.
www.mitchellinstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Preparing-young-people-for-the-future-of-work.pdf
The evolution of early warning signs
This article looks at the early warning signs of young people’s disengagement from school and early school leavingl.
www.highlandsllen.org/site_images/DS-images/documents/The%20evolution%20of%20early%20warning%20signs.pdf
Jobs4Ballarat
Jobs 4 Ballarat provides resources for need-to-know training and advice for job or career hunters. It is sponsored by the City of Ballarat, 3BA and Power FM.
www.jobs4ballarat.com.au
The Austraian Unemployed Workers' Union
An extensive website covering a range of topics relevant to job seekers and jobactive clients. Membership is open to everyone and is free.
www.unemployedworkersunion.com
The Cost of Homelessness in Australia
New research from a Swinburne-led study has found that the annual cost of health and justice services for homeless youth in Australia is $626 million.
www.swinburne.edu.au/news/latest-news/2016/04/the-cost-of-youth-homelessness-in-australia-.php
WIRL CAREER
A tool for young people that will help them explore careers visually. There is an annual fee for schools.
www.wirl.com.au
Youth Central
This website covers: articles, reviews, news, advice, tips, games, competitions, podcasts, videos etc. Youth Central is the Victorian Government's website for young people aged 12-25, "filled to overflowing with great information about life from every angle"
www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
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Animal School
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Understand Trauma
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Media Coverage
Official Opening - Berry Street School, Ballarat Campus
Congratulations to Damian McKee and the Berry Street School team on their official opening, Wednesday March 29. Jannine Bennett (Highlands LLEN Executive Officer) was among the diverse range of community and education sector representatives that attended. Jannine enjoyed the opportunity to tour the campus and speak with students, gaining a real sense of how the school is operating. “The school functioning on a thoroughly researched education model, that is already being implemented and having successful outcomes in other regions, is fantastic for greater Ballarat”.
View the clip from 9 News – Western Victoria here!
www.facebook.com/9NewsWesternVictoria/videos/1864448667167020
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Meeting, Events, Conferences & Training
Positive Schools
AUSTRALIA's LEADING CONFERENCE ON WELLBEING AND POSITIVE EDUCATION
www.positiveschools.com.au
Join over 3000 delegates across four conferences to support your students’ resiliency, motivation and engagement in learning and life.
Successful schools are built on a foundation that intelligently support their students social and emotional competency, engagement in learning and motivation to become the best they can be.
This year’s Melbourne Positive Schools Conference will be held on June 1 & 2 at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer) heads a packed timetable including
- ABC lifestyle expert Anna-Louise Bouvier
- opera singer and mindfulness expert Greta Bradman
- Australian Hero Dr Catherine Keenan
- parenting expert Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
- positive education experts Professor Dianne Vella Brodrick and Professor Joseph Carriocci
- Positive Schools founder Dr Helen Street
- host Mikey Robins
- and former refugee and young Australian of the Year Akram Azimi.
Positive Schools... so much more than a conference!
Visit www.positiveschools.com.au for all details including the full-time table, presenter and presentation overviews and online registration, and submission for both Positive Teachers 2017 and to participate in WHAT WORKS.
26th National VET Research Conference 'No Frills'
NCVER
5-7 July 2017
Hobart
YACVic Conference - Have your say!
Save the date! YACVic is hosting a three-day conference from 18-20 October 2017 at the Pullman Hotel, Melbourne.
The Conference is for all of you who work or study within the youth sector, so we're giving you a chance to have your say. Please answer this short survey to contribute to a great sector event.
And don't forget that YACVic members receive a 30% discount on our events, so now is the time to renew.
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Program Showcase
Berry Streets School - Phoebe Berry
Ballarat Berry Street School is excited to welcome a new staff member: Phoebe Berry. Phoebe is an Educational Support Dog, trained by Assistance Dogs Australia. She has spent her first 18 months in specialist training with Assistance Dogs Australia to prepare her for her life as an Educational Support Dog. She is now able to provide support to students in a number of ways. She offers emotional support, recognises signs of anxiety, helps students to concentrate and communicate more effectively, and to cope with social situations. Phoebe loves cuddles, basking in the sunshine, and listening to students read to her!
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Surveying Young People
Survey 1#
Mission Australia is calling on Australia’s youth to share their thoughts, concerns and dreams in thier largest annual nationwide poll of young people. The 2017 Youth Survey is now open to all Australians aged 15-19, giving young people a platform to have their say and create a better future for all Australians. The survey closes 31 July 2017
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3398657/Mission-Australia-s-Youth-Survey-2017
Survey 2# - Take this survey for your chance to win a $100 voucher
If you're aged between 15 and 20 years old, we'd love you to tell us your thoughts on walking. This includes walking to get to places, walking for fun, exercise, recreation, relaxation, and what helps and hinders you getting around by foot.
The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to do and then you go into the draw to win one of five $100 Coles Myer Group gift cards. The findings will be used to improve walking conditions for young people.
If you have any questions about the survey please email Dr Jan Gerrard or call 0400 575 586.
Click here to do the survey.
Survey 2# - Source: YACVic
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Stats
In 2016 the State LLEN Network investigated and collated information on flexible learning programs across Victoria. Of 122 programs, 77 provided enrolment figures. The total number of enrolments?
4,548 young people
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Fun Fact
A small child could swim through the veins of a blue whale.
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