THERE is a hive of activity within the expansive and modern Crossing the Divide facilities at Bundarra Central School.
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Launched in 2012, the program offers a strong skill set so that young men might take their destiny into their own hands.
Bundarra relieving principal Jack Dolby said Crossing the Divide has about 30 students currently enrolled.
It is primarily aimed at disadvantaged students in years 11 and 12, with a predominance of Aboriginal youth.
“We do have students in year 10 doing it. We also have students go into it in the short term to attempt to re-engage with the aim that they would go back into mainstream school,” he said. Mr Dolby said the curriculum is not limited to the Bundarra area. Students have come to them from Inverell and Macintyre high schools and older students from Tingha, who demonstrate a need for extra support.
The program bundles English and maths curriculum with practical training in woodworking, metalwork, automotive and food technology.
“When they’re working on their cars or when they’re doing their woodwork or food technology, which are all practical-based subjects, we build English and mathematics into it,” Mr Dolby said.
“We’ve integrated those sorts of life skills activities into the other subjects so we can achieve the award of the life skills credential in maths and English.”
Mr Dolby said where students initially entered the program stating they didn’t want to write, they are now completing first aid courses and induction to work sites and completed forklift, excavator and backhoe certification.
“So when they transition out of the school, hopefully they will be able to go into some form of employment or extend their education.”
Neville Williams, 22, has been a student with Crossing the Divide since its inception. He hopes to be a boilermaker after graduation, but said he was getting a lot from the entire program.
“We just got our bobcat, excavator and front-end loader tickets last month, two months ago. We’re doing Cert II in Metal and Engineering every Friday,” he said.
Student Gerry Blacklock, 20, is most immersed in the automotive side of the program, working on his grandfather’s 1975 Holder Sandman alongside teacher Terry Roma. Building up his prowess with the MIG welder and automotive skills inspired him to bring the Sandman into the shop.
“We had it sitting in the shed for a bit, and I decided to bring it out and do it. We got the right stuff here to do it. We’re going to restore it all back to its original.”
