A program designed to keep youths in school and out of trouble has helped 219 students find their way towards a better future.
A joint initiative of The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Mental Health Service, Victoria Police and Department of Education and Training, Operation Newstart Western (ONW) is for students 14 to 18 dealing with significant educational disruptions.
Students are also dealing with behavioural, mental health, familial and juvenile offending issues.
Thirteen students graduated from the program at the RCH on 9 June 2006 .
The program aims to help students develop skills and decision making so they can improve their relationships, plan for their future and develop better self-esteem.
Eighteen-year-old Madi is someone who knows first hand the benefits of ONW.
Madi only went to school to wag. She was 14, had a problem with authority and was within an “ant’s spit” away from dropping out of high school. Then she was recommended to Operation Newstart Western (ONW).
“It was so much fun, I learnt so much – how to respect authority, how to get along with people. Being so far out of your comfort zone makes you deal with things in a new way,” she said.
She completed the program in 2003, and is now doing a justice course at TAFE.
ONW’s program includes days at Travancore – a special school attached to the RCH – a day each week at their own school, group counselling sessions, extensive outdoor adventure activities and art therapy, day-long excursions and sessions with parents.
The final part of the program is a five-day outdoor expedition led by the students, with staff available only if needed.
A Progress and Evaluation Report developed by ONW shows that on average these students are missing almost 50 schooldays a year.
RCH’s Mental Health Services Community Group Program provides counselling and therapy sessions for students and their families, as well as administration support and co-ordination of psychological data
For more information about ONW, contact Travancore School on (03) 9345 6057.