Big Big News for Schools Especially in Western and South West Sydney
Learning Ground in School (LGiS)
LGiS is the biggest news on the Chain Reaction Foundation calendar for 2022 and it is for high schools, especially those wishing to offer personal development and well-being work with students in Years 8 and or 9.
Please make an appointment to talk to Margaret, Rumbi or Charmaine about this amazing offer.
Chain Reaction Foundation has designed a program endorsed by School of Education Western Sydney University and supported by Department of Education NSW that can be conducted in your school. All teacher and students’ materials printed and available now.
The program will be offered during 2022 in Term 2 to Term 4 to a group of up to 21 students in a classroom setting. More than one group could be established if desired but not more than 21 students to participate in any one group.
We use the 777 model:
- 7 students who are causing disruption, finding it difficult to fit into school life following the long lock-downs, or who are just not turning up or experiencing suspensions for a variety of reasons.
- 7 students who are causing some concern about their level of participation in school life, possibly having some familial adjustment issues but less severely concerning than the first group.
- 7 students who it appears are having very few difficulties even in some cases excelling in different ways in participating in school life.
PROGRAM FACILITATORS AND MENTORS
Are drawn from the school staff, the facilitator being a teacher, and 2 – 3 mentors who may be teachers or SLSO’s, and will include an experienced program mentor from Chain Reaction Foundation who will participate in and guide the work of the program for the full year from Term 2. All staff should have experience in working with student wellbeing or student learning support.
The program is conducted once or twice per week depending on duration of school period.
TRAINING PROGRAM FOR LGiS STAFF
All staff who will engage in the program are required to complete an intensive three-day training program during Term 1. They will follow up with face to face, zoom, or telephone meetings as required with Chain Reaction appointed mentor who is fully experienced in the program. The program delivery will commence in Term 2 and all materials needed to conduct each session will be supplied together with comprehensive training manuals for facilitators and mentors.
LGiS
The program is referred to by its acronym with the purpose of bringing a renewed ‘sense of pride’ to our school. We are an LGiS school. Learning Ground is chosen as a name because it means being deeply grounded for each of us in the experience of learning about who we really are, the potential we have for learning, and the way we can relate to others in a manner that brings new learning, pleasure, some sadness, and a new understanding. It is about releasing the potential in each of us, facilitator, mentors, and participants.
Over time it is considered that LGiS will become part of the ethos of OUR SCHOOL, and will be worn with pride.
Chain Reaction Foundation Special Events
Creating Social Cohesion and Inclusion
Chain Reaction Foundation Executive Officer in South-East Asia
Rumbi Mabambe recently appointed Chain Reaction Foundation and Mt Druitt Learning Ground Executive Officer represented our Foundation's principle project Learning Ground at the IAVE (International Association for Volunteer Effort) Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Bangkok in November 2019.
Rumbi presented a workshop at the 300-person conference on Learning Ground Enabler's Program. She was also able to show the documentary "Saving Young Lives" telling the Learning Ground Story of enabling others.
Corroboree Day
Learning Ground was delighted to welcome Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, to present awards at Corroboree day 16 December 2019. Thirty-five teenagers received awards in the presence of families, teachers, and invited guests.
Prior to presentation of awards a special smoking ceremony was conducted by Jessy Mckinless a Kabi Kabi and Jinibara man from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The ceremony was planned to offer personal healing and blessings for the holidays ahead. It was followed by ceremonial dancing and participants singing a revised version of Advance Australia Fair composed by Judith Durham of The Seekers and Kutcha Edwards a Mutti Mutti Man.
Following the awards, a celebratory lunch was served followed by the showing of David Goldie's documentary on Learning Ground "Saving Young Lives".
Kids Christmas Party Day 2019
December 17 welcomed Learning Ground alumnae, their kids, and kids of staff members to an end of year party. It was a splendid opportunity to assure past participants that they are still very much in our thoughts and interests, and it was lovely to be able to welcome children of our children. A lovely occasion also inviting our young alumnae to sign up for our Family Skills Program 2022.
Learning Ground Programs 2022
Behavioural Change Programs
Older Adolescent Program commences Monday 14 February
Younger Teenage Program commences Wednesday 16 February
Youth Activities Program (YAP) commences Friday 18 February