Enrichment and Inclusion
Hands on Learning Programs Off to a Strong Start in 2026
Our Hands on Learning programs have begun the year strongly, with community and College partnerships continuing to grow while providing valuable opportunities for students to build confidence, teamwork and practical life skills.
Hands on Learning creates meaningful connections between the College and local organisations, including Echuca Neighbourhood House and St Mary’s Parish Centre.
Through these partnerships, students engage in authentic, hands-on experiences that mirror real-world environments.
The Hands on Build and Café programs operate as school-based entrepreneurial enterprises, where students undertake purposeful projects focused on either construction and maintenance or food and beverage service. Like any workplace, the program emphasises safety, communication and collaboration, with every participant expected to contribute positively as part of a team.
Following St Joseph’s College receiving the 2024 Sowinski Community Partnerships
Award at the Hands on Learning and 54 Reasons National Conference in Frankston, the College has welcomed staff from other Hands on Learning schools who have visited to see our programs in action and participate in professional learning.
The award-winning Hands on Learning Café continues to operate across both campuses - at Kildare on Wednesdays and Brigidine on Thursdays. Led by Mrs Vanessa Mahoney, and supported by Mrs Matilda Chisvo and Mrs Tammy Ferres, the café team has welcomed several new faces in 2026 and continues to provide an engaging and supportive environment for developing hospitality skills.
Meanwhile, the Hands on Learning Build team, led by Mrs Mahoney and Mr Gavin Dellar Wednesday, has begun work on renovating the Cill Dara front yard in preparation for the College’s upcoming 140-year celebrations.
The Wednesday Hands on Learning group, led by Mr Adrian Kumar and Mr Clint Jury, has commenced the year working with the team at Little Tree in Echuca Village, where students participate in a wide range of practical activities designed to build teamwork, responsibility and real-world skills.
During their latest visit, students relocated the chicken caravan to a new area of the property and installed a new fence around the enclosure before working together to catch and relocate the eight resident chickens - a task that required plenty of teamwork and enthusiasm.
Students also assisted with construction work on an outdoor deck, carefully pre-drilling, countersinking and spacing decking boards before securing them in place. Later in the day, they helped identify and separate male and female guinea pigs within the enclosure to prevent new litters - another energetic and engaging task.
A highlight of the day was the arrival of the group’s new Hands on Learning high-visibility shirts. Students personalised the shirts by stencilling and painting the HOL logo onto the back, creating a uniform they will proudly wear during program days.
After a well-earned lunch of loaded hot dogs and snacks, the group finished the afternoon with a few games of table tennis and some quiet time with the animals - including plenty of guinea pig and chicken cuddles. Beau was particularly taken with one of the chooks, happily holding it for almost half an hour.
Overall, it was a productive, engaging and thoroughly enjoyable day, highlighting the many ways Hands on Learning continues to support students in developing confidence, teamwork and practical life skills.
Adam Prime
College Leader - Enrichment and Inclusion