Approximately 500 secondary school students in the Greater Shepparton area have taken part in an innovative program designed to help them cope with everyday pressures.
The ‘Shut the Duck Up! Workshop was supported by Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) as part of its role not only as a major employer in the region, but as a promoter of strong, positive community values.
"We were extremely keen to get behind this program which gives students more insight into how to challenge negative attitudes which often prevent them from performing to the best of their abilities," said Mr David Stewart, Managing Director of G-MW at the Workshop's closing ceremony at the Ballantyne Centre in Tatura recently.
"By enabling individuals to develop their own skills, creativity, and solutions, they will be better equipped to help themselves and take an active rewarding role in our local communities," Mr Stewart added.
Recent research reveals that in Victoria alone, less than 80% of students in Year 10 complete Year 12. One factor believed to contribute to this dropout rate is the negative thoughts that occur as a result of daily pressures experienced by many students.
This workshop, which was rolled out over several weeks and included students from five high schools in the area, involved role plays to explore real-life situations and to discuss strategies to help overcome them.
Students also were encouraged to help write lyrics, learn choreographed moves, film scenes to their music clip and record vocals to their original song which was presented during the Workshop's closing ceremony.
"Children are our future and we owe it to them, their families and friends to find more innovative ways to ensure they can make positive contributions to the local communities in which we all live and work," Mr Stewart said.
Mr Stewart added that this program, which was organised by the Business Olympian Group, is part of a series of recent community-based initiatives undertaken by G-MW, including the Women's Leadership Academy, a disability action plan and the Beacon Foundation schools program.
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