The Working Community Program provides students with personal and professional development activities and engagement with local community organisations to support student led projects.
During the one-year planned program, Working Community assists students to develop a range of transferable skill sets such as teamwork, leadership, and communication through the activity participation, learning in the community and reflection back into the classroom about findings.
BNLLEN has delivered this program for over 12 years with many schools participating.
Objectives
The WCP provides students with personal and professional development activities. It engages with local community organisations to support student-led projects.
The WCP is structured in four phases, incorporating community-based learning that enables young people to develop:
Life competencies and enterprising skills
A sense of personal and social responsibility
An understanding of the world of work
During a one-year planned program, students develop a range of transferrable skill sets, such as teamwork, leadership, and communication. Students acquire these vital competencies through activity participation, learning in the community and reflection back in the classroom.
The WCP is mapped to the VCE Vocational Major. It can be adapted for earlier school year levels, supporting students to achieve their senior school learning outcomes.
2024 Program
The 2024 Working Community program offered an engaging and practical learning experience for 25 Year 11 VM students from Diamond Valley College. Over the year, students participated in various community visits and training opportunities, including Safe Food Handling and Barista courses, alongside weekly community support activities at Ellis Cottage.
The program culminated in panel presentations and a celebration day, where students showcased their projects, such as fundraising for Daffodil Day and Jump Rope for the Heart, highlighting their newly developed skills and community impact. This comprehensive approach reinforced personal and professional growth, preparing students for their future pathways.
In 2023, two local schools participated in the program, (Diamond Valley College and Bundoora Secondary College), engaging a total of approximately 25 students.
A 2023 WCP project developed and presented by local students.