A program to prevent vulnerable students using drugs and breaking the law has kicked off in Geelong secondary schools.
Geelong students live in some of the most disadvantaged suburbs in Victoria for education, unemployment and youth offending according to Doxa, the not-for-profit group running the program.
Doxa’s Future Focus program would address bullying, drugs, mental health and other issues teens faced going from primary to secondary school, the group’s chief executive officer Steve Clifford said.
“We knew we needed to do more to help develop life skills and combat disadvantage here in Geelong.”
Geelong High School, Northern Bay College and Bellarine and Newcomb secondary colleges have adopted the two-year program for students in years 7 and 8.
The students will participate in a weekend at Doxa’s camp in Malmsbury and four half-day in-school leadership workshops.
Regional students were 20 per cent less likely to stay in school than their Melbourne counterparts, Mr Clifford said.
The Future Focus program would help keep vulnerable youths in school, he said.
“We want to support all young people in making positive decisions in their lives.
“Whether that’s staying in education or entering into a vocational pathway, the most important part is that these young people are engaged, connected and become decision makers for their future.”
Doxa launched the program locally at the end of May in response to a shortage of early secondary school programs for vulnerable students in Geelong, Mr Clifford said.
Give Where You Live Geelong and the Perpetual Trust have funded the program in locally.
