Alternate Programs

Welcome to the last Newsletter of 2023 

What a year! It has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Hard work, tears, tantrums and a great amount of student success has been 2023. I want to take the opportunity to thank all students and families for what they have achieved this year and for working tirelessly with our staff. I also want to take this opportunity to thank the staff for their tireless efforts in giving the students every opportunity to succeed. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

2024 will be a year of change. It will see past staff returning, staff going on leave, staff retiring as well as staff leaving. 

Next year Daniel Garner steps into the fold as the new Assistant Principal at Alternate Programs. This is not only a great achievement for Dan but a great opportunity to lead a team that cares so deeply for their students. I wish Dan all the best for the years to come leading a great group of staff and a great group of students.

Ben Murphy steps in for Jess McAndrew at McKenzie Creek whilst she is on leave, taking a much earned rest travelling the world, and we wish him all the best and her a happy and safe holiday.

Veronica Couch joins the McKenzie Creek team and is excited for the opportunity to be able to work with our students and challenge he skillset after working in the primary sector for the past 7 years.

Kim Drummond returns to work with our senior team and to give back to a program so close to her heart. Kim was heavily involved in working with and developing the program from the beginning.

Lastly Sue Radford will be departing us for a much earned rest. Sue has given 44 years to Education and the past 12 working with youth needing extra support and will be irreplaceable with her knowledge in the VCAL / Vocational space. We wish her all the best and hope that she continues to educate people as she enjoys the next chapter of her life.

As we move into the Christmas break, we ask that you look after yourself, your children and reach out for any support you need. Horsham has a range of services to assist you through many situations when schools are closed, and that support is unavailable.

McKenzie Creek's Port Fairy and Portland Adventure

McKenzie Creek students had an action-packed three-day camp at Port Fairy and Portland, filled with new experiences and exciting challenges.

The adventure began with stand-up paddleboarding sessions in Port Fairy. For some students, it was their first encounter with the ocean, adding an extra layer of excitement. After this, students cooked their own dinner and completed a late walk to the lighthouse, which turned into a surprising wildlife encounter with wallabies, followed by a cozy wind-down with hot chocolate before bedtime.

The next day after cooking breakfast students visited Cape Bridgewater Beach and went on a thrilling seal tour, witnessing newborn seals and waves breaking over the boat. Students then explored Portland's marine history at the Discovery Centre, seeing the whale skeleton exhibit and gaining insights into whaling history, which was followed by a cable tram tour that provided educational insights into the town's past and present, including an encounter with koalas. Returning to Port Fairy, students enjoyed homemade dinners, a bit of fishing (resulting in more seaweed than fish!), and some more wind down time before bed.

On the final day of the camp, students embarked on a cultural tour at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Gunditjmara Country with a local guide. At Tae Rak (Lake Condah), students delved into indigenous culture, learning about kooyang (eels), ancient lava flows, aquaculture systems, trade, and seasonal significance. The day concluded with a taste of locally prepared eel, embraced by most students.

This camp was a mix of adventure, learning, and shared experiences that will remain cherished memories for the McKenzie Creek students, offering fun and valuable lessons during this thrilling journey.

Blue Group

As part of our Community Engagement Program, Blue Group students were able to use VR Devices to access various ‘real time’ vocational environments so they could get a sense of how each workplace operated. The featured portals ranged from agriculture, child care, aged care, as well as the Meat and Motor Vehicle Industry. Thanks to David Crooks from the LLEN for providing this amazingly immersive learning experience!