Writer assists youth tap into skills
11 August 2004
In a move that has been both inspiring and confronting, a group of youth who didn't fit the secondary school mould, have learnt to draw on their experiences and write creatively, most for the first time.
The Kangan Batman students are participating in the VCAL Give it a Go program developed by a group of teachers at the institute who saw the need for a training program that gives young people a chance at education they had previously missed out on.
Most of the youth, ranging in age from 15 to 18, had left secondary school because of problems fitting into the system or coping with the way subjects were taught. "By giving them a different environment in which to study, they have felt much more confident in their ability to not only do the work presented to them, but to cope with further study," said VCAL coordinator, Julie McClimont.
"Surprisingly, their favourite subjects are English and Personal Development, which is mainly because of the engaging way in which their teacher, Jane Davey, presents the subjects," said Ms McClimont. "The Give it a Go VCAL program is designed to let them try a little bit of each trade so they can make decisions about the direction in which they want to head. Most students go on to pre-apprenticeships or apprenticeships and some to VCE at TAFE."
As part of the English module, the students spent two weeks of the program in creative writing sessions with well-known author, Barry Dickens. Barry was motivated to teach the students after a making a connection with one of the boys, Darren Cook, through a TAC mentoring program last year.
Barry had met Darren Cook after a request from a friend involved in Darren's recovery process from a drink driving accident. As part of his rehabilitation, Darren had started to write about the affects of the accident and his life in general. It was felt a mentor would help him direct his writing skills and this is where Barry became involved. "We met, we clicked. He is a modest and talented young man with an affection for language," said Barry.
After Darren commenced in the VCAL program this year and hearing of his experiences at TAFE, Barry decided he would like to meet Darren's teachers. Barry was asked if he could spend some time with the boys teaching them creative writing skills.
Teacher, Jane Davey, says the experience was an amazing one for the boys. "These students were outside their comfort zones and to have them write their thoughts down on paper was a very confronting and unsettling experience for them."
"However, they have achieved so much by doing this and the connection Barry made with most of them was brilliant," said Jane. "Some of the short stories the students wrote were read out in class, which was another milestone as most had never been encouraged to participate and share their thoughts before."
"Sharing emotions is not particularly cool at this age," said Barry, "and to have someone listen to you and not tell you what to do is a change for many of them."
"Some of these young men are tough on the outside but I was surprised at the affection they showed their teachers and was touched by the connection I made with most," he said.
Barry is hoping that Darren's perspective on the devastating affects of drink driving will be published in a book one day and is convinced his personal experiences would be most powerful in persuading other young people not to drink and drive.
Barry Dickens is a primary school teacher, writer of biographies, author, Age contributor, writer in residence, artist and mentor.
