Innovative school levels playing field

IT was a run in the park on the first day of school for a group of 15- yearolds yesterday.

The eight students are the first of a new school designed for fitness, health and wellbeing for those who have struggled with traditional schooling.

The SWELL school’s director Garry Woodford said the program stands for Sport, Wellbeing, Education, Leadership and Lifeskills.

“A typical day will see them doing a variety of sporting skills, it is an alternative education program which will allow them to get their high school certificate on completion and they will undertake a strength and conditioning program tailor- made for them,” Mr Woodford said.

“We are offering sport, certificates in fitness, business, officiating and coaching with the main element being on a structured wellbeing program that promotes real- life learning, leadership and resilience around mental health issues and support networks.

“We also have one- on- one mentoring to get them re- engaged and fired up about their life.”

Mr Woodford said he had set up a program at Redcliffe in Brisbane and had seen an opportunity in Towns- ville under the banner of Tec- NQ and based at the Douglas campus.

Mr Woodford said the school would eventually have 36 students.

“We also have included Beyond Blue’s high school curriculum program called Sensibility which we will use for support, and Headspace have come on board.”

He said students who completed the course would come out with a Certificate in Sports and Recreation, a Certificate 2 in coaching, a Certificate 2 in IT and Business, Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness and First Aid.

To find out more, phone Mr Woodford on 0419 674 506.