Warrnambool schools are working to change youth attitudes towards drugs and alcohol and instil community values in their students.
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Warrnambool Primary School was one of the 13 schools that took part in the Communities That Care (CTC) survey and principal Peter Auchettl said some of the results were concerning.
“The schools in the Warrnambool network of schools, both secondary, primaries and P-12s, work a lot on social responsibility,” he said.
“The Student Leaders Congress is an example of that, to instil into the students a sense of community and a sense of responsibility within the community.”
Mr Auchettl also highlighted the Stronger, Smarter program for indigenous pupils at the school.
“The program is about telling the indigenous students they are stronger for coming to school and smarter because they are at school as a result of that,” he said.
Brophy Family and Youth Services are running CTC with funding from the Department of Justice and Regulation.
Brauer College principal Jane Boyle is on the Beyond the Bell board, which is working to address low school attainment rates – often associated with other social and health issues.
“What the secondary schools are doing is building social and emotional skills in our students,” she said.
Brauer and Warrnambool colleges offer a Big Life program.
“This is setting our students up to break any negative cycles and build their skills,” Mrs Boyle said.
“There are programs such as mindfulness, meditation and we teach the students about community values.”
Mrs Boyle pointed out not all students in Warrnambool were at risk.
CTC Warrnambool co-ordinator Cameron Price said this was confirmed by the survey, which had strong and positive results in areas such as opportunities for young people to do voluntary work.
