Blackwood students graduate
The first group of graduates for the year at the Blackwood Centre of Adolescent Development at Hallora had their presentation night recently.
Fourteen graduated in what was the 45th group to pass through Blackwood since it was established 23 years ago.
Seven of the 14 did not miss one day of attendance over the six months of the course and the average attendance of all students was 94 per cent.
They were joined by about 90 family members, friends, staff and members of the committee of management for the function that celebrated a semester full of challenges and achievements.
There were addresses by students and staff, formal presentation of graduation certificates and exhibitions of African drumming and art work by the students.
Blackwood, an annexe of Drouin Secondary College, provides an alternative education setting for students in years seven to 10 that become disengaged, or are at risk of being disengaged, from education.
Students attend from throughout Gippsland and Melbourne’s outer east.
With a low teacher-student ratio the program at Blackwood emphasises student wellbeing and the development of strategies to manage school and personal life.
The program incorporates literacy, numeracy, personal development, camps and excursions, health and wellbeing and creative arts focussing on students’ individual goals.
After graduation the students transition back to mainstream education but remain part of the Blackwood “family”.