Rockhampton’s Newest School Celebrates One Month

Completing the first month at school might not seem like a reason for a celebration but for Carinity Education – Rockhampton, a newly opened school for disengaged youth, the first four weeks were the hardest.

Carinity Executive Manager of Education, Michael Harding said setting up the school was a new experience for the teachers and students as none knew what to expect.

“The teachers and students are settling in nicely and starting to get a feel for how the school community will be developed,” Michael said.

“We currently have 25 students ranging in ages from 12 to 16 and three specialist teachers as well as three youth workers.”

The school currently caters for grades 7 to 10 with Grade 11 being introduced next year and Grade 12 in 2018.

“We will have the capacity for 84 students in grades 7 to 12 by 2018. We’re easing into it as senior schooling can present other difficulties and we want to make sure we’re prepared for it,” he said.

Preparation for vocational education and training has begun with plans for a new hospitality centre, mechanical workshops and open-air gymnasium in development.

“The hospitality centre and mechanical workshop will be important in allowing us to provide training and qualifications for hospitality, bicycle mechanics and automotive vocational preparation.”

“The Carinity Education model is based on individual support for a student’s educational and emotional needs which is why we have a combination of youth workers and teachers.”

“We also rely heavily on the community for opportunities for development. The school has already done work with Meals on Wheels as part of their community studies.”

For more information on the school, including how to enrol, please email info.rockyschool@carinity.org.au or contact Carinity on (07) 3550 3703.