HANDS ON LEARNING | Update
Hands on Learning
As we come to the end of another inspiring year in Hands on Learning (HoL), we are proud to celebrate the achievements, growth, and creativity our students have shown. Across both our Tuesday and Wednesday groups, students have taken part in a wide range of practical projects that have strengthened their confidence, teamwork, and connection to school.
Highlights of 2025
🌿 Garden & Outdoor Projects
Students transformed the areas surrounding the HoL Hut by redefining garden edges, distributing mulch, and planting a mix of Australian Natives & Proteaceae species to create colourful displays and attract native birdlife. We also refreshed the hut pathway and cleared a new space for outdoor learning and reflection. These projects not only improved our school grounds but gave students hands-on experience in planning, planting, landscaping, and cooperative problem-solving.
Our veggie garden (built in 2021) is now well established and regularly supplying fresh veggies tomatoes, herbs, sweet peas and carrots to name a few.
🔨 Woodwork & Crafts
From wooden chopping boards and personalised lazy Susans, to hand-sewn soft toys and mosaic tiles, students learned tool safety, measurement accuracy, creative design, and the satisfaction of completing projects. Many took great pride in creating items to display at home or to gift to loved ones.
🎨 Organisation & Cleaning
Students contributed to daily kitchen and workspace clean-ups, building valuable life skills in responsibility, organisation, and pride in place.
🍳 Cooking
Weekly cooking projects helped students develop teamwork, budgeting, hygiene, and independence. From ANZAC biscuits to sushi, spaghetti bolognese, Mexican tacos, creamy chicken pasta, fried rice, and chocolate–pear brownies, students took increasing ownership of preparing meals for their peers. Many now have a few favourite recipes up their sleeve!
🌿 Wellbeing & Relaxation
We regularly provide a platform for meaningful discussions about health and wellbeing. Conversations around healthy sleep, balanced diets, and the positive impact of movement often take place around the HoL table. This year we added hammocks to our activity kit, giving students the opportunity for quiet reflection time in nature after a hard day’s work. Screen-free relaxation—especially outdoors—is an important element of wellbeing, and we’re proud to support our young people in practising these skills.
🎭 School Involvement
Hands on Learning proudly contributed once again to the School Production, creating feature set pieces for Chicago. This project helped students develop carpentry and design skills while giving them a rewarding way to be involved in the broader school community. Hands on Learning also ran four successful fundraisers throughout the year, helping to support materials and resources for future projects. Students honed their hospitality, teamwork, and food-service skills during these fast-paced and energetic events.
🤝 Teamwork, Belonging & Growth
Our greatest achievements this year came from the growth we witnessed in teamwork, resilience, and student confidence. Many students stepped outside their comfort zones, learned new skills, supported their peers, and showed leadership within the group. In 2025, more than 30 students engaged with HoL, and our core group has developed into a strong, supportive team of young people.
Celebrating Our Students
Hands on Learning is built on authentic relationships, practical tasks, and a strong sense of belonging. This year, our students demonstrated commitment, problem-solving, and persistence. They created real change—in themselves and in our school environment. To all families, students, and staff who supported the program this year: thank you. Your encouragement makes this work meaningful and possible. We look forward to another fantastic year of building, creating, learning, and growing together in 2026.
Interested in Hands on Learning for 2026?
If you feel your child may be a good fit for Hands on Learning, please get in touch with Lily Donovan (ldonovan@fhs.vic.edu.au) or speak with your child’s Year Level Coordinator to discuss options for next year. Students who thrive in the program are those who enjoy working on practical, meaningful projects, developing social skills, and building interests and passions beyond traditional academic study.
Thank you for supporting Hands on Learning at Frankston High School.
Ms Lily Donovan
Hands on Learning