| From the Principal - 26 May 2009 |
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TOOLOOA HOUSE GIVES STUDENTS SKILLS FOR LIFE BEYOND SCHOOL
Toolooa State High School unveiled an innovative project last week, designed to better prepare young people for life beyond the school gate.
Toolooa House, a purpose-built, 98 square metres, full scale home, was officially opened at the school on Friday, 15 May 2009 by Mr Raymond Johnson (Acting Executive Director Schools). Mr Johnson explained the $310 000 initiative arose from an identified need within the school and broader community to provide young people with real life experiences designed to help them when leaving home for jobs or further study.
“Many students today complete 12 years of schooling and, often, through no fault of their own, leave school without ever experiencing tasks we do routinely, such as washing and ironing clothes, cleaning, preparing healthy and inexpensive meals, using vegetables grown in the home garden and financial management, including preparedness for entering the rental market,” Mrs Cathey Hale said.
“Toolooa House will fill this void by providing them with these life-skill opportunities.”
School principal Alan Whitfield said Toolooa High had been overwhelmed by the community support for the construction of Toolooa House. “Service clubs and businesses assisted us to bring this innovative project to a practical completion and significant funding was sourced from Education Queensland Smart State Subsidy Scheme grant.”
“There were also countless man-hours of volunteer work that went into this project, coupled with the generosity of individuals and businesses, who provided much needed materials, time and expertise to connect services to Toolooa House.”
Mr Whitfield said Toolooa High’s Parents and Citizens’ Association and the community had helped outfit the house, ready for students to begin learning. “In the future, our school anticipates partnering with other schools in the district to expand the program so that a wider range of young people can learn and consolidate essential life skills.”
In addition, Toolooa High will pursue opportunities to work with community organisations to enhance the skills of young people who “need to reconnect with learning to build a better future”, according to Mr Whitfield.
School projects linked to Toolooa House concept include an artwork of a mosaic pathway, kitchen and native food gardens and water saving and capture activities.
SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOL DURING RECENT INDUSTRIAL ACTION
A thank you to our school community for your consideration of our students’ safety during the industrial action last Tuesday.
WINTER UNIFORMS
With the onset of cooler mornings, it has been great to see our students move smoothly into our winter uniform. A reminder that slacks or tracksuit pants worn at school must be plain black and constructed of a fade resistant fabric. Our school has a school uniform jacket available that may be purchased through our school office. As an alternative, students are permitted to wear a plain black or maroon pullover/jacket. Students who have represented in Port Curtis and Capricornia School Sporting teams may wear representative jackets.
When students are not in our school uniform, a parent explanation is required.
Alan Whitfield, Principal |
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