NEWS DESK
Learning to a different beat Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A GROUP of young people who may have felt ‘on the outer’ in mainstream education and unable to tolerate the demands of the normal school regimen have, nevertheless, achieved success in the classroom. This week they graduated as Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning students at the Local Education and Employment Program (LEEP) at Longbeach Place Community Centre, Chelsea. LEEP is a campus of Westall Secondary College that caters for young people who do not fit into the normal education groove. “A number have faced multiple hurdles in their lives and, for them to choose education and to complete their senior level, is inspirational,” manager Cate Baird said. Asked about the barriers the students faced in continuing their education, Ms Baird said: “You name it and many of our students have had it. They may have had some form of mental illness, come from unstable family backgrounds, are transient, not living with their families, have some form of disability, are young mums, or are involved in the youth justice system; some have extreme anxiety. “Many could have done brilliantly at school, but they simply couldn’t cope or fit in with the no-smoking policies, or not being allowed to have tattoos, or piercings etc. Little things like that set them off, then they get labelled as ‘bad’ kids and that label follows them from class to class. “Yet they are not bad kids – they
just don’t fit into the mainstream. Many have had no positive role models. “Not every kid fits in. Some have come from brilliant families but don’t fit into the mould the mainstream wants.” LEEP runs certified VCAL classes towards the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning, which teaching literacy, numeracy, work-related skills, personal-development skills and industry-specific skills. The subjects are all integrated into projects in the one big classroom under the charge of secondary school-trained teachers. This week’s successful students have completed their intermediate level and now their Year 12 under the auspices of the Victorian Assessment Authority. Many now have their eyes on rewarding futures: in tourism, aged care, nursing and various traineeships leading to apprenticeships. LEEP had a number of Kingston Applied Learning Awards nominations this year and was thrilled when a senior student, Chelsy Ralston, won the work related skills subject area, as well as the overall professional development and student of the year award. LEEP won the community VCAL provider of the year while Ms Baird won The Jenny Marks Memorial Award for Applied Learning Coordination and Support. “This graduation and ALA result is a wonderful recognition of the LEEP program, but, more importantly, recognition and pride for our young people who require alternative forms of education to achieve success,” Ms Baird said.
Community groups get charitable help
High achievers: Year 12 LEEP graduates are, front from left, Sarah, Chrissy, Jade, Tayce and Tearoha; back from left, Brad, James, Zoe and Sheyden with signed graduation bears for each other. Picture: Gary Sissons
Game of zones may begin again Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au LABOR has pledged to “take the politics out of planning” if the party wins government this month. Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee has accused state Liberal Planning Minister Matthew Guy of “forcing intensive high-rise development in some areas, while locking up leafy Liberal suburbs”. Mr Tee said Labor would order a full review of new residential planning zones “imposed on councils” and “the role of Planning Minister Matthew Guy and his office in that process” if it wins government. Councils across Victoria spent 12 months consulting communities about
proposed new residential zones after the state government announced in June last year that new development rules would be introduced. Kingston Council had its request, after community consultation, to have more than 75 per cent of the region classed as non-growth areas, effectively rejected by the state planning department (‘Kingston back in the zone’, The News 17/9/14). The government’s independent Residential Zones Standing Advisory Committee advised Mr Guy to give Kingston Council another chance to develop its future housing policy. Some Kingston councillors are concerned Kingston may be earmarked for “excessive” development as Melbourne’s urban sprawl expands, while
other suburbs such as those in the city’s east are protected (‘Kingston zoned out of state planning process’, The News 25/6/14). Mr Tee said a Labor government would review “the botched planning zones imposed on councils” and force all Victorian councils back to the drawing board to “allow communities to have their say”. “The Liberals can’t say they support growth and development in Melbourne if they target suburbs based on their politics,” Mr Tee said. “Under the Liberals, local councils are getting trampled over, the community doesn’t have a say and some of our oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods are facing the wrecking ball.”
Mr Guy hit back at Labor’s claims and said “Melbourne’s liveability would be put at risk by the Labor Party”. “Labor’s pledge to ‘review’ the residential zones is the first step toward tearing them up,” he said. “Labor wrecked our suburbs when last in government, and by ‘reviewing’ the residential zones, they’ll do it all over again under Daniel Andrews.” He said “Labor will bring back their destructive zoning laws that promote high density development in every street of every suburb.” Mr Tee said “Labor will take the politics out of planning”. “We’ll meet the housing needs of our future but we’ll take communities and councils with us.”
BENEVOLENT societies, food relief agencies, emergency services and education groups helping people with disabilities will benefit from the Kingston Charitable Fund. Ten groups and organisations will share in more than $40,000 in the year’s annual grants. Kingston mayor, Cr Paul Peulich, said the grants helped community groups carry out vital work. “As well as the social benefits gained from these groups doing such valuable work, our experience shows that this is an extremely efficient use of council funds,” he said. “Without the tireless efforts of these groups and the people who run them the job of council would be so much harder and the people of Kingston would be the poorer.” The largest beneficiary is the Holy Trinity Arrowsmith Program, which plans to begin a three-year pilot project - the first of its kind in Victoria - aimed at strengthening the cognitive abilities of people with learning disabilities. A grant of $10,000 will help this project get up in 2015. It involves 30 children. Bayside Community Information and Support Services will receive $5000 for its Education Support Program to provide funding to students from low income and vulnerable families. They will then be able to attend camps, excursions and swimming lessons. A $3200 grant to Longbeach Food Distribution Centre will help install a 16,000 litre water storage tank and associated plumbing for water collection from the hall roof, which will drought-proof the garden and allow its garden-based programs to run all year round. Chelsea Benevolent Society’s $2000 emergency resourcing provides food and help with household costs for those who are disabled or ill or who have children at home. Matt’s Place will receive $3000 for emergency resourcing, providing a free or low cost two-course meal twice a week to community members. They aim to feed 250-280 people each week. The Lighthouse Foundation will receive $1500 funding for items needed by Bonbeach House, such as a camera, material and equipment to set up a vegetable garden, and sports/lifestyle equipment. The SES Chelsea Unit will receive $3000 for a recruitment drive aimed at increasing the number of operational members from 31 to 71 volunteers.
4 DAYS ONLY! STARTS THIS FRIDAY!
Casey Lifestyle Centre, 430-440 Princes Hwy
NARRE WARREN 03 8794 9111
Offer ends 17/11/14. Savings based on RRP. See in store for details. Accessories sold separately.
tofs.com.au
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 12 November 2014
PAGE 3