Alternative Kids
Alternative Learning
Real Outcomes
International Forum For
Child Welfare
Education Through
Alternative Settings.
2011
Father Riley’s
Philosophy
Circle of
Courage
Service
Learning
So what makes us different?
Restorative
Justice
Integrated
Curriculum
Staff
Father Riley’s Philosophy
• In life no-one is better or worse
• Everyone has had a different life experience.
These life experiences have shaped our values.
• By employing empathy we can endeavour to
understand another person's point of view.
• By doing this we show respect and this leads to
trust.
• We provide a strength based intervention;
highlight the positive.
• We provide kids with a success based curriculum
• We have the courage to believe that ALL kids have
the ability to believe that they can achieve
greatness.
• That we have the courage to try different ideas
and approaches.
• Our role is to find opportunities for them to
succeed.
Father Riley’s
Philosophy
Circle of
Courage
Service
Learning
So what makes us different?
Restorative
Justice
Integrated
Curriculum
Staff
Circle of Courage
(Brendtro, Bockern & Brokenleg)
Circle of Courage“The Resilience Code”
• Belonging is
developed through
opportunities to build
trusting bonds of
human attachment.
• Significance: “I am
important to
someone”
(Brendtro & du Toit 2005 p.43)
Circle of Courage“The Resilience Code”
• Mastery requires
opportunities to
creatively solve
problems and meet
goals for achievement
• Competence: “I am
able to solve
problems”
(Brendtro & du Toit 2005 p.43)
Circle of Courage“The Resilience Code”
• Independence is
fostered by
opportunities to grow
in responsibility and
autonomy.
• Power: “I am in charge
of my life”
(Brendtro & du Toit 2005 p.43)
Circle of Courage“The Resilience Code”
• Generosity is shown
through opportunities
to show concern in
acts of kindness and
altruism.
• Virtue: “I am
considerate to others”
(Brendtro & du Toit 2005 p.43)
“He who helps in
the saving of
others saves
himself as well”
Father Riley’s
Philosophy
Circle of
Courage
Service
Learning
So what makes us different?
Restorative
Justice
Integrated
Curriculum
Staff
• It takes courage to see our faults and to try to
change. By making yourself the best person you
can be, you improve the world. Your positive
actions have a ripple effect.
• By deciding to improve your community you
agree to being part of the solution as opposed to
being part of the problem.
• We achieve this through Service Learning.
What is Service Learning?
• an innovative, values-based intervention
program
• for youth at risk
• developed with Father Chris Riley
• to address the cause(s) of violent and
criminal behaviour amongst older
adolescents.
• The primary purpose is to help young
people to develop a lasting moral
framework for positive behaviour.
Other Service Learning Projects
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Swimming with adults- Vision impaired
Botanical Gardens – new growth
Eyeglasses- overseas
Emmaus Retirement Village aged care
River clean up and replanting- Landcare
Random Acts of Kindness- Newtown
Transition 6-7 high school
Blanket Distribution-homeless
Halvorson Homes- aged care
Preschool Reading
Father Riley’s
Philosophy
Circle of
Courage
Service
Learning
So what makes us different?
Restorative
Justice
Integrated
Curriculum
Staff
•Focuses on
accountability and
repairing the harm
•
rather then retribution
Offers an
opportunity for
the victim to
achieve closure
and punishment
The idea
behind RJ
•Enables the
offender to be
directly responsible
to the victim
•Transfers
power from the
‘institution’ to
the community
RJ Circle
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Start with a quote
Students and teachers sit in a circle in a shared space, equally
Use a talking tool
The circle is facilitated by a student leader.
Participation in the circle is a privilege. Students or staff who are
unable to value the opportunity are asked to leave.
• The student leader reads each white card and discusses an
appropriate consequence. Who, the behaviour, how to restore
• ‘Bring up the beef’ –students discuss issues they have either with
other students, staff or other and use this time to communicate their
feelings and resolve the issue.
• To conclude students identify ‘How the day was’ and ‘something they
are proud of’.
Questions used in Restorative Justice
• What happened?
• How did it happen?
• What part did you play in it?
• How were you affected/who was affected?
• What do you need to make it right?
• How can we repair the harm?
Suggested Quote;Anne Frank: I keep to my ideals because they seem so absurd and
impossible to carry out. Yet I keep them, because in spite of everything I still believe
that people are really good at heart.
For more RJ news
http://www.realjustice.org/
http://www.iirp.org/view_all_news.php?pageNo=1
http://www.transformingconflict.org/
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ONLINE
http://www.restorativejustice.org/programmeplace/02practiceissues/schools1/schools/atct_topic_view?b_start:int=20&-C=
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND CIRCLES
http://circlespace.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/tip-of-theweeklistening-whilespeaking/
Father Riley’s
Philosophy
Circle of
Courage
Service
Learning
So what makes us different?
Restorative
Justice
Integrated
Curriculum
Staff
Integrated Learning -8 Modules
•Australia’s National Identity
•Facing Adversity
•Environmental Issues
•Natural Disasters
•Protecting Life
•Discrimination
All Modules are underpinned with
•Universal Human Rights Values and Aboriginal Studies.
•Healthy Lifestyles.
Stage 4/5 Integrated Unit 6 – Discrimination
Content Links:
English – My Place (Sally Morgan), Language surrounding the word
and idea of “discrimination” using all aspects Literacy
History – Experiences of migrants and aboriginal peoples
Geography –Variety of Australian communities & Multiculturalism
Aboriginal Perspectives – Stereotypes and attitudes towards
aboriginal peoples
PDHPE – Relationships, Bullying, Discrimination, Harassment, The
Anti Discrimination Act
Science – Interconnectedness and variety of life
TAS – Climate and the growth of crops in certain countries
influence the types of food, Multiculturalism & Australian food
and tastes, IT/Graffiti Art
Creative Arts – Graffitti Art, Music of Other Cultures
Mandatory Technology – Graphics Technology: Graffiti Art
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RACIAL ISSUES
VALUES:
Courage
Justice/fairness
Citizenship
Equality/tolerance
Leadership
“I HAVE A DREAM”
Martin Luther King’s speech
Essay”What is your dream”
Writing Film/Play Reviews
FILM- The Story of Rosa Parks”
FILM: “Save the Last Dance”
Q &A
Question sheet
LISTENING
THE NEED TO LISTEN TO EVERY ONE
-Listening Sheets/games
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LANGUAGE FORMS
-Basic grammar revision
Enhancing an essay
Basic essay writing
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Make a web of what respect/disrespect means?
Making A Community Agreement/set of rules
Journey to Respect”-Aboriginal weekly program
FILM /BOOK “Bridge to Terabithia”
BULLYING
Discuss past experiences.
Dealing with bullying.
What is Genre?
-Romance
-Drama
-science fiction
-Adventure
RESPECT/DISRESPECT
MULTICULTURALISM IN AUSTRALIA
FILM“Lucky Miles”
“Romulus, My Father”
“They’re a Weird Mob”
BOOK-“Looking For Alibrandi”
THE ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE
NOVEL:MY PLACE
BY Sally Morgan
POETRY/COMPREHENSION
POETRY FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES
Limericks-Ireland
Haiku-Japan
Poetry- “Colour Bar”-Kath Walker
“The Black Tracker”-J.Davis
“Fourteen Men”-Mary Gilmore
Refugee-Jane Belfield
The Forgotten
STEREOTYPING
EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT
ACCEPTING DIFFERRENCES
GAME:Ice breaker
Walking the Line
“Cinderella Man”-impact of gender perspective
DISCRIMINATION TOWARD YOUNG PEOPLE
VALUES:
Courage
Justice/fairness/citizenship
Equality
Respect
Communication
Co-operation/teamwork
FAMOUS POET-Oodgeroo Noonuccal
Book-“Whoever You Are”-Mem Fox
Empathy writing-journal
SPEAKING
SPEECH-WRITING
“bullying”
“It’s Unfair”
“The Big Whinge”
HAVE A SAY DAY
Service Learning Opportunities: Discrimination
•Visit to a “soup kitchen”
•Visit to “Children’s Hospital”
•Visit to “Special School”
•Visit to Local school/kindergarten
•Children’s Literacy Program - Cultural stories/Myths/dreaming
stories/fairy stories/legends, After exploring these children’s
stories students write their own children’s story.-focussing on an
“injustice”/disadvantage”
•Involvement in community projects (Macquarie Fields, Griffith,
Walgett)
•Visits to communities and interactions with elders
•Restoration/preservation of sacred sites
•Disability services (children, adolescents, adults)
•Walking in My Shoes camp for children with Disabilities
•Interactions with residents at retirement villages/aged care
facilities
•Maintenance at cemeteries
Father Riley’s
Philosophy
Circle of
Courage
Service
Learning
So what makes us different?
Restorative
Justice
Integrated
Curriculum
Staff
Our kids know the can call anytime and we
listen; discuss any problem and maybe we can
help and offer further opportunities
With passion and collaboration,
we engage, challenge and change
perceptions of the world.
Staff
Non judgemental,
open to all cultures.
A melting
pot of staff
and kids.
The relationship between
kids and us
We have the freedom to
work outside the box; most
of our kids are from outside
the box
How do we measure Success?
What do you look for?
How do you record the changes?
I am 17 years young and I'm living at a crisis
refuge. Hopefully I won't be there long. I've
decided to give up weed as it de-motivates
me and holds me back from everything
important in my life. Key College means so
much to me and I'm so grateful to be here
getting my Y.10 the support that I am
getting is awesome as I see myself doing
good and going somewhere with my life. My
life is going where I want it 2 b going.
So what makes us different in learning?
• We work with great kids
• Give opportunity for Youth to foster excellence in
leadership in their community.
• Have the Courage to Demand Greatness from ALL who
we work with.
Mrs Lou Single
Principal Key College
Principal Matthew Hogan School
Director of Education
Youth Off The Streets Limited
PO Box 8, Merrylands NSW 2160
Office: 02 9721 5718 Fax: 9721 3240
Mobile: 0409399192
Email: [email protected]
Web: youthoffthestreets.com.au
Service Learning with YOTS
[email protected]
YOUth Making a Difference Kit
[email protected]