A Helping Hand for Merri River ‘Hands on Learning’ Program
The Merri River School ‘Hands on Learning Program (HOL)’ is committed to giving students the opportunity to explore and discover their talents as well as build real world skills.
The specialist school runs both a trade program involving carpentry, painting, landscaping and community working bees and a Hospitality Program that includes cooking for staff and other team members, budgeting, researching recipes, shopping and social skills.
The HOL program aims to be fully self- sustaining; for this to happen, the program relies on donations of money, produce and time. It is also funded through making and selling items made in both trade and hospitality or fundraising initiatives.
The Program received a financial helping hand as a successful recipient of the 2020 are-able Foundation Community Grants, with a grant awarded to assist with the purchase of new equipment and tools.
“The HOL Program is such a valuable and wonderful initiative by the Merri River School, are-able was pleased to be able to support this and to know that the tools and equipment purchased will be able to help students over a number of years. It’s great to be able to come along to the school and see the benefits of the grant, Covid-19 restrictions have meant that it has taken a while to be able to come and see this in person” said Andrea Hogan are-able Director of Communications & Engagement.
Alex Strauch, Hands On Learning Co-Ordinator at Merri River School in Warrnambool said the donation has provided a ‘helping hand’ to the program.
“The Foundation Community Grant we received from are-able has been absolutely fantastic, and we can’t be thankful enough for it. It has allowed us to purchase a huge amount of items for both programs, some as simple as basic kitchen utensils all the way through to rice cookers and pie makers for Hospitality and Jigsaws, electrical sanders and paint for the trade program. The students thank are-able greatly for their support and look forward to producing some great pieces with their new equipment.”
The 2021 are-able Foundation Community Grants are currently open for applications.
If people wanted to donate, get involved or have a community idea for the HOL students they can contact Merri River School directly http://www.merrirs.vic.edu.au/home