Clontarf Foundation Bairnsdale Academy

DALA YOROO Reading Program a Hit

The Bairnsdale Clontarf Academy students have jumped at the chance to visit the Dala Yoroo Kindergarten helping the younger students get active and also providing a reading program while they are there.  The program has been such a hit with the Kindergarten they have requested if we could possibly run the program all year, as the little ones ask when are the Clontarf Boys coming to read. 

The visit is just as important for the older boys as it is for the younger ones, watching their development getting up in front of a class, they found it very daunting at the start, but after the first few minutes they relax and find it fun. 

Year 11 student Dylan Bryant found talking to the students really powerful saying I didn’t think I could actually do something like that but once I started I felt great and felt really proud of what I did speaking in front of the little kids. 

The College has also really embraced the activity and the VCAL Program is including the initiative as part of their personal development class. 

The Year 12 students will co ordinate the program next term to enhance their leadership and also mentor the younger academy members in the process. The boys will also provide some sport clinics in the term to help get the little ones active and burn some of the energy they possess. 

Bunnings Bairnsdale

Bunnings Bairnsdale is setting the standard on creating employment opportunities for Bairnsdale Academy members, with another one of our boys jumping at the chance to work there. 

Year 12 student James Hood had a massive week after returning back to the Bairnsdale Secondary College after 2 years at Trinity Grammar in Melbourne gaining employment at our local Bunnings Store and also obtaining his Learners Permit as well. James known as Jimbob to his family and friends was a massive part of the Bairnsdale Academy before taking up the opportunity for a scholarship in Melbourne and the Clontarf Academy is a better place with Jimbob around. 

Jimbob has slotted back in like he never even departed the College. Back around his cousins and his academy mates, while helping nurture our younger academy members that have joined the foundation.

Jimbob is also a talented artist and after attending the Victorian Year 12 Pledge Camp created an artwork as shown below.  After attending the Big Umbrella Homeless Kitchen James was inspired by the journey of the people he met and the stories they shared. He created a painting telling a story of all the Victorian Academies coming together, from the three Clontarf Academies up on Murray River to Warrnambool on the South West Coast and the Bairnsdale on the East Coast, all coming together and meeting in the city of Melbourne.