Old school learning
Kids on suspension given chance to focus on work, interact with seniors
A GOLD Coast community group is opening its doors to suspended students in need of structure and focus.
Oxenford youth worker and community development officer Jennifer Schofield is offering an “old school” program of a hard day’s work to stop suspended students from slipping between the cracks.
The Bulletin last week revealed Gold Coast students are missing more than 600 days of school every week due to suspension or expulsion. It is up nearly 50 per cent on the same period four years ago.
Though education experts cannot explain why the rate of suspensions are growing steadily, Ms Schofield says alternatives are needed – and fast.
“It is old school, but we need to try to offer something else,” she said. “We know some parents can’t afford to stay home when their kids are suspended so we want to be there for them.”
While at Ms Schofield’s Studio Village Community
Centre at Oxenford, students set goals, prepare food baskets and even help out seniors.
“The oldies love them when they come in to play lawn bowls. It also gives the kids a chance to own up to what got them into this situation as they need to explain it to others.
“It certainly isn’t a holiday, they are working all of the time and integrating with people of different ages.”
Ms Schofield said the service had been under-utilised by schools and she hoped to put the word out to help out more families.
The group runs from 8.30am-2.30pm during the week and also transports students to and from home.
Single mother of three Megan Saunders said she was at the “end of her rope” when she discovered the community centre.
It wasn’t the first time her energetic middle child Lucas had been suspended but, with a week of work ahead and no other carers free her options were limited.
“I am a sole carer, so if I don’t work, bills don’t get paid,” she said.
“He isn’t a bad kid, but he does get into trouble. Some kids just don’t seem to fit the model of school some times.
“Suspension is supposed to be a consequence and a learning experience, not a holiday, but I couldn’t have the week off work,” she said.
For 10 days, Lucas worked packing food packages for those less fortunate, feeding animals and hanging out with seniors. He also updated his resume.
“They were a life saver,” Ms Saunders said. “He found his focus and drive.”
The teenager, who has not been in trouble since, has since secured part-time work.