teamwork - vcal & btu
Angela Mancini
Croxton BTU
Tayler Roberts -
Teacher - VCAL
During Semester 1, the Croxton School BTU students and Year 11 VCAL students have been meeting up for one period each week so that the VCAL students can work as learning mentors for the BTU students.
All students were involved in 'ice-breaker' activities for the first two sessions where they got to know each other. This was a lot of fun (see the pictures!) as they had to complete activities such as shaving balloons and feeding each other!
These activities went a long way to making the students comfortable and developing trust in each other - opening the road to allow for a very positive shared learning relationship.
BTU students are coached by the VCAL students in reading, writing and maths skills. In turn, the VCAL students have this opportunity to extend their communication skills and share their knowledge with the younger students. Each session usually lasts for 20 -30 min and then all students join to engage in a PE/Sport activity. It is clear that both student groups benefit enormously from these one-to-one interactions - socially and academically.
We believe that this is a great initiative on many levels. The program allows students to develop strong friendships and bridges the gap between the BSC & BTU student communities. The Year 11 students get the opportunity to step up into leadership roles (which addresses their VCAL learning outcomes) and the BTU students are getting extra help with their learning and forming friendships with other students in the school.
Credit must go to the Year 11 students who have really embraced this program and are doing an amazing job each and every week! The energy in the room is really positive and all students really enjoy the program.
Abdul Ayoubi
Year 11 &
James Seoud
BTU
Every Friday the BTU and VCAL students meet up do a wide range of activities, from eating ice cream to playing board games.
James: “Our teachers organise us to work together, the teachers give us partners. Each week we have different partners and get to know the VCAL students.”
Abdul: “I personally really enjoy this program because we get to know the BTU students, learn a lot and gain a lot of experience.”
David Carroll
BTU &
Harry Grillakis
Year 11
David: In Term 1 we started working with the VCAL students. We meet up with them every Friday, Period 4. I had a partner called Natasha and we all did a game and it was to eat ice-cream as fast as we could and shaved balloons. When we have been doing stuff with them - we read and they listen - it is good for me.
I like this program because I have fun with the VCAL students and enjoy reading as well, so this is why I’d like to do more with them.
Harry: I enjoy working with the BTU students because I get to spend more time with them. Also it’s a great way for them to get some extra help with their reading and writing.
Natasha Quenette
Year 11 &
Nassah Abboud
BTU
The VCAL students tutor the BTU students on how to use money and count change - by using bingo games. We also read together using a reading program on the IPad.
Natasha: My highlight is playing fun games and getting to know the BTU kids!
Nassah: I like this program because we get to do fun activities and we get to work together as a team. My highlight is reading with my partner and I also liked the ice cream challenge.
Muntaha Mohammed Guleed
BTU &
Duh Hashi
Year 11
Muntaha: I look forward to Period 4 on a Friday with the VCAL students!
We do a lot of fun activities like the ice-cream challenge and the balloon shaving challenge. The VCAL students also help us read books and help us with counting money and change. I think both classes work really hard together. Duh and I both like fashion and we both like the same stuff.
