Hands on Learning
HoL Program: Information for parents for program participation – Secondary
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We invite you to read this information about the Hands on Learning (HoL) program offered at our school. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.
Introduction
HoL allows secondary school students to participate 1 day per week in various practical projects, which may be within the school or outside in the local community. Some examples include building basic structures, bricklaying, furniture making, painting, sculpture and landscaping.
The group will consist of 3 staff and up to 12 students from different year levels. The staff will be made up from 2 wellbeing staff and 1 leading teacher.
Students will spend an entire day in HoL and as well as completing practical projects they will also prepare and share meals together as a group. This day will be a Wednesday, commencing early in term 2.
Why we are doing it
HoL was implemented to provide students with a wider choice of curriculum. We intentionally designed this program to provide an alternative to the classroom structure and normal learning style, where new skills can be learnt by doing and experiencing.
Popularity of the program
It is a privilege for students to have an opportunity to be in the HoL program. We have limited places, and a waiting list exists for students wishing to be involved. This is not a program for students who want a day out of school. This program helps students maintain a positive attitude to school, and they really look forward to their HoL day.
The four pillars of HoL: why this is our foundation
HoL is an innovative onsite education program made up of four fundamental elements that build a platform for young people to grow in confidence, engage and achieve at school.
Success of the structure
The mixed structure of the groups, with different genders, and the range of age groups, provides an opportunity for leadership skills to be developed and provides a positive learning environment for the younger students taking a natural lead from the older ones in the group.
Developing community attitudes
We actively seek involvement in community project work which is a great opportunity to foster positive attitudes towards the local community, which teaches the students the value of shared goals and purposes which are the fabric of our society.
Clothing and footwear
HoL students will be out of school uniform or wearing an agreed HoL uniform on the days they attend. HoL students wear clothing appropriate for use on a work site. These may include: leather shoes or boots, old clothes that may get paint, mud and dirt on them, hats, sunscreen and shoulders covered at all times.
Mobile phones/personal IT/music devices
Mobile phones and personal IT and music devices cause unacceptable distraction on the worksite and are not permitted. Mobile phones are great, but they can cause major distractions when working with others and it is important to work safely. Therefore, just like a job site and following school policy, mobile phones will be looked after by HoL artisan-teachers during the day.
Meals
Students are expected to eat together and not leave the group until everyone has finished and the table has been cleaned/cleared.
NO other food or beverages are permitted on site – these include drinks such as Red Bull, MOTHER, V or soft drinks that may impact on, mood and the work capacity of the students.
Student performance
HoL students will be assessed on three main areas of participation:
- having a strong work ethic
- being a positive team member (good listener, considerate and helpful)
- working on areas of personal development and behaviour using focus plans
- all students will have their places reviewed and those who do not perform across these areas may not be able to continue with the HoL experience
Attendance
HoL will operate for a full school day every Wednesday for the year. Students are permitted to be at the shed no earlier than 15 minutes before the commencement of their normal school start time and are encouraged to have breakfast if they need. Students will be dismissed from the HoL shed at the end of the school day. Any changes to attendance need to go through normal school procedures ie: ring school office if going to be late or not attending.
Excursions
HoL students will be involved in projects/activities off site and will be required to have the appropriate permission forms signed by a parent/carer.
Applications are to be submitted to taylor.buchanan-huhn@education.vic.gov.au by the end of week 5 (23 May).