By Kath Gannaway
STUDENTS from as young as Year 7 now have an additional option in the Yarra Valley for an alternative secondary school model.
CIRE Community School will this year accept enrolments in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10 in addition to their existing VCAL programs.
Principal Tim Knowles says it is an exciting expansion of the school’s program.
The curriculum at Cire Community School is designed to cater specifically to vulnerable students, including those who have experienced barriers to completing their education and young people at risk of disengaging with school.
Mr Knowles said that in the past the school had been able to accept students from 15 onwards, but that it was clear there was a need for students in those first secondary school years to be catered for with alternative options.
“We have kids coming through at that age who are at risk of disengaging and at risk of the mainstream education environment not being a good fit,” he said.
“We have been very successful with the senior secondary program and are very much modelling this on that model.
“We have a core teacher and there is a lot of familiarity with the structures we provide with the primary school model.”
Mr Knowles said the students at all levels would have support of other specialists including psychologists and doctors and teachers with specialist qualifications.
One of the strengths of the program, according to Mr Knowles, is the flexibility to offer individual students a pathway suited to their aims and strengths.
“Some kids will always be suited to different kinds of learning and a small school environment and with this program we are providing kids with that option.
“We also have the capacity within the program to re-engage students to VCE (at mainstream schools) if that is their goal.”
The school can be contacted on 1300 835 235 for further information.
