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Latrobe Valley Schools In Good Stead For Retaining Students The Latrobe Valley can expect a number of graduating classes of bright, well-prepared and enthusiastic Year 12 students this year thanks to today‟s announcement that 3 schools have received a share of $223,100 By Russell Northe - 14th February 2012 - Back to News of funding to encourage students to complete secondary school.
Mr Northe said Traralgon Secondary College, Kurnai College, and the B.E.S.T Centre in Morwell each received grants under the Victorian Coalition Government‟s $5 million Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund awarded to the schools as a result of its commendable proposal for retaining students through to Year 12.
"Kurnai College Precinct Campus has received $84,500 for their Performance Class program, which will provide one-to-one and small group support on a regular basis to ensure any student that is struggling academically or motivationally is paired with a staff member and receive support in all areas including well-being," said Mr Northe.
"The Morwell Berry Street School, known as the B.E.S.T Centre has received $50,000 for the Passport Project which will develop referral, support and monitoring protocols to assess the individual needs of young people, and develop „Passport Plans‟ including student portfolios of personal strengths, skills and achievements.
"Traralgon College have received $14,600 for their Thinking Living and Careers (TLC) program which will help students to make informed decisions about their futures and career pathways.
"Traralgon College will also be involved as a partner with other Gippsland Secondary Schools in the Beacon Foundation Gippsland Project which received $74,000, which will work to create an environment in which young people have the desire, the motivation and the opportunity to reach their full individual potential."
Minister for Education Martin Dixon said while the number of metropolitan students finishing school was going up, the government was committed to ensuring the same opportunities were available to rural and regional students.
"We know when a student completes school, the likelihood of them going on to achieve, succeed and become a skilled and valued contributor to society dramatically increases," Mr Dixon said.
"Almost nine out of 10 metropolitan students are finishing school, but nearly a third of country students are leaving school early, and these new grants are a step toward addressing this issue."
The Local Solutions Year 12 Retention Fund was created upon advice from the Rural Education Reference Group; a cross-sectoral group established by Minister Dixon to advise the government on initiatives specifically designed to support rural and regional schools.
"I am really keen to see the success of these retention programs as they are rolled out across Victoria," Mr Dixon said.
"It is this government‟s belief that schools are the ones best placed to determine what measures will be most effective for their students and I think the community will agree as graduating students become active members of the community and valuable contributors to the local economy.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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