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When we looked at VCAL – it was virtually The Island program … we
could translate everything that we were doing into this Certificate, so that
if a student joined up at The Island , they could qualify for every aspect of
the VCAL. It was like a dream come true. It was part of synchronicity of its
greatest kind … (Member of Staff in Broadribb, 2004, 12)
The kids are working on real projects and showing camaraderie. There is also
a respect for the students … (External Stakeholder in Broadribb, 2004,
17) |
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) The
Island provides automotive,
engineering, hospitality, construction and furniture making programs. Each workshop
operates as a mini enterprise with real projects that result in products offered
to the public at attractive rates. On enrolment each student rotates through
each workshop spending two weeks in each before negotiating a specialisation
with the appropriate instructor. Staff meet regularly every fortnight on student
RDO’s (not PFD’s –Pupil Free Days) to plan programs and discuss
student progress and issues in depth.
The Island’s aim with these various workshops is to give students a taste of work in the real world while they develop their talents in a friendly, realistic and supportive environment. Students also spend a minimum of three hours per week with a literacy and numeracy instructor within the context of their specialised workshop training. This can be by withdrawal or within the specialised workshop setting as all instructors are responsible for work specific literacy and numeracy skills. While there is significant scope for further development of the integration of literacy and numeracy into the everyday program of the workshops, it is acknowledged that each workshop very powerfully uses literacy and numeracy skills in a real context that is sometimes not apparent to a casual observer or student.
In each workshop there are opportunities for extra responsibility and peer teaching/learning. The instructors expect the students to step up and into these positions when they are ready – students are not selected for positions of responsibility – it is expected that they will take them. Broadribb (2004, 71) explains that the students become very attached to The
Island and ‘willingly speak up for the place’ and over time students not only approach the instructors with issues but over time students take on the role of confidantes. At The
Island students have ‘achievement after achievement … support[ing] each other with a special fervour [as] The
Island’s program includes many activities that are all about enjoying an active life (Broadribb, 2004, 71).
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