A pilot program has been launched in the western suburbs to encourage at-risk students to continue at school.
The Navigator program, led by Anglicare Victoria and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, will have the organisations working with schools and other support services to re-engage students with education and training through regular contact and support.
Anglicare Victoria regional director Claire Nyblom said the program would be aimed at students aged 12 to 17 who had not attended school for 70 per cent of the previous term.
“We’re going to take a multi-disciplinary approach. There is no one reason as to why students aren’t attending,” Ms Nyblom said.
“Some students are struggling in class and feel too embarrassed; some are having difficulties at home making it difficult to get to school; some don’t feel confident in a group setting or are having difficulties with peers and don’t feel confident in negotiating that.”
Re-engagement
She said the program would help determine the reason behind the students’ truancy, and an education support plan would then be laid out to re-engage them with school.
“Education is critical to a successful future,” Ms Nyblom said.
“If a student drops out, we don’t know where they’ll go. Wherever that is, they won’t be achieving their potential.”
She said the Navigator program would help to establish a plan for students, including those in tertiary study, apprenticeships or VCAL.
“We want them to take charge of their own education, to take responsibility for their own life,” she said.
The program would operate right across the western suburbs, as deemed necessary.
“It’s a highly mobile service of outreach in the schools, with families, or with the young person at all schools,” she said.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas said students being re-engaged with education and training was the best thing for the individual and the community.
