Work Programs Teach Our Students Valuable Skills
We are passionate about setting up our high school students for success not only within, but beyond, Marnebek. One way we work to bring this about is by offering various different student work programs run by external organisations. These programs are designed to build students’ employability skills and knowledge. Students can attend individually, in small groups or in class groups. Here are some of the programs available along with some information about them.
Gumbuya World: This program is offered for year 9 classes as a whole. Students assist with grounds maintenance of the amusement park, a task that not only teaches them gardening and landscaping, but that also builds their work ethic and sense of responsibility.
Hallam Secondary College (Beauty and Hair program): Students can model for the Hallam Secondary College students studying hair and beauty, allowing them to see behind the scenes of the beauty industry and what is involved.
Alkira (VCAL day): Students visit Alkira for a day to meet VCAL students. Alkira VCAL students also visit Marnebek. VCAL students develop activities and games for Marnebek students to participate in. The opportunity to interact with students enrolled in VCAL gives our students the chance to glean lessons that can be applied if and when they undertake VCAL themselves.
Cranbourne East Secondary College (Jump program): The Jump program is a basketball program where students combine with Cranbourne East SC and learn basketball drills and skills. This program helps to promote health, fitness and teamwork.
Waverly Industries: This is a group work experience program where students attend Waverly Industries one day a week to build employability skills in a supported environment. Waverley Industries currently has six specialty divisions that students have the opportunity to learn skills in – Packaging, Assembly, Catering, Wood Work, Transport and Garden / Maintenance services.
Salvation Army: The Salvation Army provides a variety of work experience opportunities for individual students and also group work for students doing the DUKE of Ed. This program can be counted towards students’ community service hours.
In addition to the above programs, we also support business work experience. Our career advisor works with our students during careers sessions to help students decide if work experience is suitable for them and, if so, where they would like to work. Depending on the business, students can either participate in the work experience program as a volunteer or a temporary paid employee.
Students or class groups are selected for specific student work programs by looking at student interests, class grouping, class program (VCAL, DUKE or SPEC) and employability options.
Our student work programs have many good outcomes, such as development of students’ skills and increased employability knowledge. The programs also help to boost students’ confidence, self- esteem and independence.
Marnebek is committed to providing students as many different opportunities as possible to build their skills and gain real-world experience. We are excited to see what our students will achieve in our student work programs and where this will take them!