YARRA TERM 3 WEEK 3 2022
Hi everyone!
This has been a very exciting and adventure filled beginning to our term here at Operation Newstart! This week we focused on introductions to the whole team and what the future of the program will look like this term.
We began with Wednesday the 27th of July where we visited our friends down at Yarra Youth Services. After a brief introduction to their space and services we began to grow our group dynamics with some fun games and activities. This can be one of the most exciting and daunting parts of the program, as traces of nerves and anxiety take hold. However, the group was quick to warm up to one another and faced the group activities with enthusiasm. We then went over the group rules and what values look like and mean. This in turn built our own group values, called the group codes of conduct that we’ll be referring to for the rest of the term. We then went back to Collingwood Alternative School (CAS) for some introductory information on camping gear and self-evaluations. Ending off on a good note we decided to play some games of dodgeball and basketball.
GROUP VALUES
RESPECT
HONESTY
LEADERSHIP
TEAMWORK
LOYALTY
On Thursday the 28th we collected ourselves and headed off to visit Sherbrooke Forest. This peaceful area was used for a reflection on our newly formed values, future hiking activities and to integrate leadership opportunities into the group dynamic. Starting strong with our first leader for the program, we headed down a very muddy and serene trail to the Sherbrooke Falls. Using this beautiful space we touched on the many aspects of leadership and navigation before getting a sneaky group picture and heading out back to the van. Once we all piled into the van we began our drive to Trees Adventure to do our high ropes course. All of the young people faced this challenge head on and showed great levels of both enthusiasm and encouragement to their fellow teammates. The team set off into two distinct groups for this adventure, one focusing on zip lines while the other held more obstacles. Even when some of the group continued on to a second course those who stayed behind shouted their words of support and encouragement to these brave souls. Once done we thanked the company’s workers for our wonderful day and for letting us take part in the ropes course. All of the young people should be proud of their efforts on this day, as we all were able to achieve something with our team's support behind us!
On Friday the 29th we began our day at CAS, starting with understanding and identifying our own character strengths, continuing on in our journals and creating our own school goals for this term. Though we touched on lots of information all of the young people maintained focus and thoroughly enjoyed their short breaks throughout the day. That afternoon we then began our tour of Heidelberg Polytechnic where we were shown the many different courses and pathways they hold. We even gained a talk with one of the school's instructors about the areas of plumbing and boilermaking. Once done we thanked the company’s workers for our wonderful day and for letting us take part in the tour.This day focused greatly on looking into the future and seeing what we all wanted to individually achieve, although still having plenty of banter along the way.
!NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY STUDENT REVIEW!
!THIS WEEK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEXTER!
What was the first day like for you? Did you feel nervous or excited? Did you feel comfortable with the group?
"THE FIRST DAY I FELT NERVOUS AND EXCITED, FEELING COMFORTABLE WITH THE GROUP IS IMPROVING."
Was it confronting going so high up in the trees exploring?
"AT FIRST IT WAS SCARY BUT FELT FINE AFTERWARDS."
Was the goal setting difficult or did you already have an idea of what you wanted to achieve in this program?
"I HAD AN IDEA WHAT MY GOALS WERE BEFORE THE PROGRAM."
Did going to the TAFE school open your eyes to any possible pathways or interests?
"IT SHOWED THE REALITY OF THESE TRADIES AND IT OPENED MY EYES, HELPED MY VISION FOR THE FUTURE."
What was the best show of our group values during this week’s activities and introduction to the program?
"TREE SURFING, WITH EVERYONE ENCOURAGING THE TEAM."
What was a struggle for you or an achievement you remember from this week?
"A STRUGGLE WAS REPLACING REGULAR SCHOOL."
