Tuncurry and Forster campus Great Lakes College students who have been considered at risk of not competing years 9 and 10 for a variety of reasons have been taking part in the College Connection program. 

Set up in 2013, it aims to help students who have poor attendance rates, a lack of organisational skills or difficulty handing assessments in on time by providing them with extra support and guidance.

Great Lakes College teacher and program facilitator Felicia Lieberman and volunteer Fran Breen teach and support a group of nine students from the Tuncurry campus every Monday at the demountable building near the Great Lakes community garden off Little Street, while Forster campus teacher Kingsley Pursch teaches an all boys year 8 class on a Tuesday at the CWA Hall in Forster.

A normal weekly group session will include assignment help and exam preparation for about an hour and a half before heading outside for group activities such as boxing and discussions on cyber bullying for about an hour with teacher Craig Livett and school chaplain Andy Jones before going back inside for more academic help. 

Ms Lieberman said quite often students become daunted by assignment content or get distracted in the classroom and just need a bit of extra support. 

“A lot of the students work much better in smaller groups,” Ms Lieberman said. 

“They don’t have learning difficulties they are all very capable. 

“We look at a student’s willingness to want to improve and their attendance every week. 

“The aim is to ultimately transition them back into the school with skills that enable them to cope with moving back into a school setting while letting them feel as though they have continued support.”

 For Great Lakes College year 10 students Renee Christie and Georgia Lawrence, after starting the program in term one they both look at school differently.  

“It’s really good because it’s not just being in the classroom,” Renee said. 

“They teach you so you can understand the content. I’ve learnt a lot more and now get my assignments in on time, I never did before. 

“The stuff we do with Andy really helps too. He does activities that connect us with anti-bullying and resilience.”

“It helps with catching up on tests you’ve missed,” Georgia said.

“And encourages you to go to school and makes you want to do well.” 

Ms Lieberman said the school, which was currently funding the program, was looking at gaining some outside support from local businesses or organisations so it can continue more than one day a week and  hopefully have access to a bigger site.

“While we are so appreciative of the Forster Neighbourhood Centre for the use of the demountable room we really are in need of a bigger space, especially if this program is to grow,” she said. 

If you are part of a business or organisation and can support this 

program, call Graeme Jennings at Great Lakes College Forster Campus on 6554 6062 for more information.