Programs

Overview

Creativity and self-expression can be a feature of Aboriginal culture. The public quest for art products is at an all-time high. The school will seek to attract specialist artists and visitors to come to Menindee to provide voluntary or paid programs. It is possible that this program could develop into a cottage industry.

Benefits

• Arts and crafts develop students’ and community art skills.
• They develop a bond between school and community.
• Students and community gain access to new ideas and new techniques.
• The centre will provide a showcase for art and craft outcomes.
• It will provide income for individuals and the enterprise.
• In 2011 student exhibited their art at the Cooee Gallery in Bondi

Engagement

• The students gain a greater engagement / perspective from visual and performing arts.
• The community will develop pride in the product of local artists through both ‘traditional’ and contemporary artworks.

Community input:

• The community can provide leadership in some art forms.

Overview

The farm is a recent addition to the Enterprise Park banner. It seeks to build on a desire to engage students in yet another enterprise allied to one of the major industries that surround the town. Newly arrived staff with interest and expertise, combined with the local industry, offer new opportunities.

As a result of the school’s entry to the National Australia Bank’s Schools First program, the school received $50,000 towards the project. This is almost a third of the estimate cost. Additionally money received from the sale of the old principals residence has augmented the grant.

Benefits

• It will provide fresh produce for:
  • the school canteen
  • the school’s hospitality unit
  • the local community
• It will be a sustainable enterprise financially and environmentally (organic)
• It will utilise the skills of teachers with relevant expertise in agriculture and horticulture fields
• It will provide students K-6 with significant and real life learning pportunities in the fields of horticulture and agriculture.

Engagement

• It will provide students with skills for future self-sufficiency.
• It will provide students with marketable skills in
  • plant management
  • land management
  • animal husbandry
• It will provide a community-relevant HSC Pathway
• It will be a significant opportunity for Years 7-10 to engage in Agricultural Technology
• It will be a significant opportunity for students in post-school study (e.g. TAFE, University)
• It will be a significant and community relevant continuum of learning from Kindergarten to Year 12
• It will provide significant learning for the entire school K-12 in Environmental Education.

Community input

• It will provide students in Years 9-12 with opportunities for traineeships in the agriculture field
• It will provide real opportunities for partnership with local growers and industries (e.g. Tandou, Grape Exchange, working sheep and cattle stations, State Water, local market gardeners)
• It will provide enhanced opportunities for post-school employment.

Overview

The school holds a limited transmission licence for upwards of 50 kilometres around Menindee.

Benefits

• Students can develop both written and oral skills to use on the radio.
• The radio is used to transmit health and other community information.
• Students will be better connected to the community.
• The School News is able to engage a new audience.

Engagement

• Students at risk can gain confidence through playing their music or specific writing prepared during class.
• The project meets the criteria for many aspects of quality teaching.
• It allows the students to converse with and interview tourists.

Community input

• Training programs will be provided for community members wishing to have their own program.
• A program will be conducted for the community to gain skills in developing and managing the radio.
• A community advisory group will be established to utilise community expertise and interests.

Overview 

The school wishes to engage with all students to Year 12 to ensure they receive their HSC Certificate and beyond. This means special classes, opportunities or tasks that have meaning and engage the students.

In 2009 three students were enrolled under this category. They commenced their traineeships in Year 10, one year ahead of normal commencement. For these students who entered the program in 2009 outcomes have been outstanding. Suspensions for these three students have been reduced to nil for 2009. previously they had 11 suspensions between them in Term 4, 2008.

Identification comes through:

• unsatisfactory attitude to work
• poor academic achievement
• suspension record and risk behaviour.

Benefits

• Students learn practical skills.
• Students enjoy being at school more.
• Students have a better self image.
• Aboriginal Studies and activities will be a core program for students Year 10-12, this developing a positive self-image. 
• Social skills are developed.

Engagement

• Students are engaged, involved and fulfilled by meaningful work.

Overview

Outcomes from the traineeships program so far are that the school is retaining students into the HSC years and they are graduating. From 2004-2008 the average retention rate for the school was 29%. The state average was 59%. In 2011 Menindee Central School reached 73% retention.

There are few employment opportunities in Menindee. Traineeships are generally TAFE based with an on site work commitment for 100 days over two years, for which students are paid approximately $80 per day

The park is now a training facility for traineeship positions. Travel to Broken Hill makes it difficult and has contributed to students dropping their traineeships.

Benefits

Having a number of traineeships at MEP helps the school to schedule traineeships on one day per week. This cuts down on the disruption currently experienced.

• Students can learn a skill that could lead to future employment.
• Traineeships allow students to experience paid employment.
• They increase student and community pride and enterprise.
• They develop a healthy work ethic and raise expectations of employment

Engagement

• Traineeships at the Park provides real education in the work place in hospitality, construction, agriculture and tourism.
• Students will be able to engage with tourists who visit the park, thus leading to greater social skills.