Programmes
Skool's Out is an innovative social networking and peer support programme for young people with a disability. Our aim is to create opportunities, make new friendships, find interests and gain skills all under the guidance and support of our experienced staff. Some of the activities on offer: art & craft, cooking, gardening, Wii Fitness, games, sport, watching DVDs and outside excursions.
Skool's Out operates from 3 to 6pm at two locations.
Monday and Tuesday at Lakelands Community Centre, Kanwal.
Wednesday and Thursday at 221 Albany St North, Gosford.
What's been going on
Term 1, 2011
During Term 1, Skool’s Out visited Bunnings
West Gosford and Lakehaven where they got creative glued into different craft
activities. They got physical trying out different sports and games in the
Kanwal and Gosford regions. Afternoon tea was a specialty at local shops and
cafes, where they were free to practise their social skills and money handling
in a real environment. The term was celebrated with the joy of Easter craft and
of course, eating Easter Eggs!
During the April holidays Skool’s Out and T-Time joined together for a two night retreat at Camp Breakaway, San Remo. The weather was kind and brought lots of time to play tennis, mini golf, football and cricket. There was also a scavenger hunt through the bush, with every team showing their competitive streak being eager to win. By nightfall it was time for some disco dancing, musical chairs and a movie before bed to complete the evening. This was a great opportunity for Gosford and Kanwal students to form friendships and socialise.
Summer Holidays, 2010-2011
Over the Christmas Holidays Skool’s Out and T-Team had the unique opportunity to actually sleep with wild animals! Well okay, not quite. The tents were animal proof, as long as we kept the doors zipped up tight.
We arrived at lunch time on day one and Ranger Mick gave us an introduction to the park and we got to interact with the free range kangaroos, emus, paddymelons, wallabies and more. After we unpacked and ate lunch we had our faces painted with ochre and all got to try our hand at boomerang throwing. Following that we got 'nose-to-nose' with a bunch of spiky, feathered, furry and scaly creatures on our tour of the park. This included a lesson about bush tucker food and bush medicine from Ranger Rachel.
After a great day we worked up a huge appetite ready to feast on a bush BBQ sausage sizzle for dinner. At twilight we all grabbed our torches and mozzie repellent and headed on a guided night tour of the park to see all the nocturnal animals come alive! We now saw bats, possums, wombats and platypus out and active. It was great fun.
Back at the camp site under the stars, we sat around the camp fire eating marshmallows and listening to Australian Indigenous dreamtime stories. We were all 'bushed', literally and ready to retire to our spider-proof, snake-proof tents for a good night sleep.
On day two we awoke to the sounds of nature as the kangaroos and emus emerged from the bush. We all ate a hearty breakfast and ventured back into the bush to check out some really cool Aboriginal cave paintings. Everyone agreed it was a great experience.
Term 3, 2010
During Term 3 Skool’s Out kids were involved in a
number of exciting activities. We made Father’s Day presents, created and
decorated a mirror with shells, Bunnings Craft Workshops, Cooking, Bowling and
Sports afternoons. We also learnt traditional Aboriginal dances, which were
performed at the Pathway Advocate Awards night.
We also visited
The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park allowed the kids to be involved with Australian reptiles, see Aboriginal drawings, have their face painted with ochre paint and learnt about bush medicine. Everyone washed their hands with “bush soap” (grass and water when mixed together suds up). They also had the chance to learn to throw a boomerang – some even came back!!
The Oakvale Farm and Fauna World gave the kids a “hands on” experience with farm animals allowing them to bottle feed baby goats and lambs, everyone had a turn of milking Daisy the cow and a tractor ride around the farm where they saw lots of different farm animals.
The Bunnings Craft Workshop is always creative. In this workshop, the kids made a Scary Halloween Witch Bowls filled with lots of lollies. We all can't wait till term 4!
School Holidays
We also visited
The Australian Walkabout Wildlife Park allowed the kids to be involved with Australian reptiles, see Aboriginal drawings, have their face painted with ochre paint and learnt about bush medicine. Everyone washed their hands with “bush soap” (grass and water when mixed together suds up). They also had the chance to learn to throw a boomerang – some even came back!!
The Oakvale Farm and Fauna World gave the kids a “hands on” experience with farm animals allowing them to bottle feed baby goats and lambs, everyone had a turn of milking Daisy the cow and a tractor ride around the farm where they saw lots of different farm animals.
The Bunnings Craft Workshop is always creative. In this workshop, the kids made a Scary Halloween Witch Bowls filled with lots of lollies. We all can't wait till term 4!
School Holidays
During the school holidays, Skool's Out and T-Team joined together for three excursions.
On July 7th, we took the ferry from Ettalong to Palm Beach. Unfortunately the weather wasn't on our side and we had a cold, wet and windy day. Some of the kids were adventurous and did a trek up and over the hill to see where "Home and Away" was filmed whilst others played a bit of footy and played in the sand.
The next day Janet from Bunnings from Lake Haven put on a craft workshop where we made a mosaic snake on a piece of wood. This was a hit with the kids with everyone producing a masterpiece.
The following week on July 14th, we had an excursion to the Reptile Park. The weather looked threatening in the morning but turned out to be a sunny day.
We saw lots of animals including spiders, snakes, alligators, Elvis the crocodile, koalas, wombats, kangaroos and the cutest baby dingos(only 8 weeks old). This was a great day and the kids got to see and learn about animals that we don't see everyday.
Term 2, 2010
In Term 2 the Skool's Out students were involved in a number of exciting activities. They undertook Bunnings craft workshops, cooking, craft activities, sporting activities, bowling, Kids HQ and visits by the Fire Bridgade from Wyong and East Gosford.
The visit by the Fire Brigade was a highlight for everyone. The fireman spoke to the kids about what to do if there was a fire at home. Firstly you ring the Fire Brigade on 000, then remove themselves from the fire in a safe manner, "Get down LOW an GO GO GO!" and wait at the evacuation point for help to arrive.
They also showed us what a fireman looks like dressed up in his firefighting uniform. Some kids find this uniform to be scary, but the fireman put on each item of clothing so we could see that he was a real person and was there to help. Then came the fun part. The Skool's Out kids were allowed to climb into the fire engine and turn on every light and siren!
This brought a few people out to see what was happening. Next we were showm how the hoses operated. Everyone had a turn and there was water going everywhere. Even the Skool's Out bus had a wash.
This was a great experience for the Skool's Out kids with everyone wanting the firemen to come back in the near future.
Term 1 , 2010
Whether old or new, there has been no shortage of fun for Skool's Out students. We attended a confidence building workshop to practice talking in groups. Students were encouraged to talk about what they did in the holidays to gain confidence in talking to others and social skills.
Cooking classes always stir-up some smiles, we made chocolate crackles. We also played a variety of sports this month at Lions Park near Toukley Bridge and Adcock Park at Gosford, including cricket, football, tennis and bocce. Everyone sharpened up their safe bike riding skills with a visit to CARES Bike safety at Ourimbah. Students learnt how to fit a helmet safely and road rules. They then got the opportunity to ride on the practice track which had traffic lights, roundabouts, stop and give way signs.
Skool's Out have also been out and about bowling, visiting Kidz HQ, cooking, doing Easter craft and an end of term party.
There is a criteria process for students to enter this programme. Contact Rono for further details on ph: (02) 4350 2600 or email ronojoy@youthconnections.com.au. Download the flyer here: download. Download an expression of interest form here: download.
