Flexible programs boost attendance
Student attendance rates at Ararat College are on the rise this year with help from two nationally recognised intervention programs.
The school introduced Hands on Learning, HOL, and Flexible Learning Option, FLO, in term three in 2020 to help tackle student disengagement across various year levels.
Specialist staff facilitate the programs and provide students with direction to tap into individual talents and interests.
HOL engages students in hands-on projects at the school and school community, while FLO opens the door for students and their parents to work with a school co-ordinator to identify strengths, special interests and areas where the student needs support.
FLO program co-ordinator Celia Fairley said since the introduction of the programs, student attendance rates had ‘dramatically’ increased.
“A range of students, including some who would not otherwise be engaging with education at all, have close to 100 percent attendance in these alternative programs,” she said.
“The feedback we’ve had from students is that they feel much more comfortable and confident coming along to the specialist classrooms than they do attending the main campus.”
School Focused Youth Service and Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network, CGLLEN, fund the program.
Both programs operate out of a CGLLEN building behind Ararat College.
School principal Ellie Mcdougall said she was grateful for the support CGLLEN had provided to the intervention programs.
“We are extremely thankful that CGLLEN was willing to provide us with office space that we could convert into a specialised classroom for our FLO and HOL students,” she said.
“Without access to facilities like this, we would not be able to provide our disengaged students with such vital learning opportunities.”
CGLLEN acting executive officer Jane Moriarty said the organisation valued its partnership with Ararat College.
“We jumped at the opportunity to support these programs and help disengaged students reconnect with their education,” she said.
“Because we are sharing a building, we get to have frequent interaction with the students and we are blown away by what they are achieving.
“The personal growth and development they experience as they progress through the program is clearly apparent.”