Operation Newstart Eastern
Due to funding constraints, this location’s operations have been suspended until funds to support a Polie Office and an Educatin Department facilitator can be found.
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Welcome
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Operation Newstart Beginnings
The first Newstart was established at Mt Erin College, Frankston in 1997, Operation Newstart Southern. We have now grown to 7 programs, 6 across metropolitan Melbourne and 1 in regional Victoria. Southern was followed by Western which commenced in 1999, followed by Northern, 2001, Southeastern, 2004, Shepparton, 2007, Casey, 2008 and Eastern, 2009. During 2008 Newstart directly assisted 192 high risk students. Since 1997 over 1,000 students have participated. In 2009, more than 200 students will undertake the course.
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Operation Newstart Eastern
Operation Newstart Eastern is a partnership program run by Victoria Police, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Eastern Metropolitan Region) and Berengarra School.
This initiative allows students aged 13 to 17 who are considered “at-risk” and experiencing difficulties at school, to engage in an eight week intensive personal development program. Students are required to attend their home school each Monday, with the remaining four days of the week involved in a multi-layered program, focussing on their relationships with self, family, school and the broader community.
The program consists of four core components:
High Challenge Adventure Activities Personal Development
Vocational Orientation Community Projects
Adventure Activities
Operation Newstart Eastern utilises adventure activities as a means of personal development and growth. Challenging activities provide students the ideal medium to practice new skills and develop appropriate means of coping when taken out of their comfort zone. Activities may include:
Camps, bushwalking, ropes courses, kayaking, horse riding, canoeing, caving, rock climbing, mountain bike riding, surfing, snorkeling.
Personal Development
Providing students with the opportunity to achieve personal goals is another important part of the program. Courses include:
Level One First Aid Water Safety Certificate
Fitness Testing Martial Arts Therapy
Drug, Alcohol & Sexual Health Education Music Therapy
Vocational Orientation
Vocational Development is an integral part of the Operation Newstart Program. Students develop a greater appreciation of the importance of study to achieve their long term goals. This is achieved through:
Holmesglen TAFE Taster Courses, for example:
- Horticulture & Landscaping
- Hospitality
- Floristry
- Resume Building
- Establishing links with Local Employment Services
Community Projects
Each term students will be involved in a project that will benefit the local community. This provides students with the opportunity to reconnect in society as a valued member of the local community. Community Projects will vary each term depending on local community needs. Projects may involve assisting special needs groups and local environmental initiatives.
Program Objectives
To allow young people to make positive life choices and set realistic goals.
To provide meaningful learning opportunities within a challenging and supportive environment.
To promote individual achievement and the development of self belief.
To practice and develop social and physical skills in a safe and supportive environment.
To provide an opportunity for students to remain engaged in education.
To provide opportunity for young people to connect with their local community
For further information, please call Operation Newstart Eastern on 0447 327 345
Sandy McIver Steve Magdis
Police Facilitator Education Facilitator
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Past Paticipants
If you are a past participant of one of the Operation Newstart programs, we would love to hear from you, so visit our guestbook to bring us up-to-date with what you’re doing now.
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What We Do
Newstart participants do not necessarily fall into the “low academic achievers” category that many label those students/young people who fail to make it in the school environment. In fact, many of the participants have proved to be ‘gifted’ but as a result of a variety of circumstances have been unable to demonstrate this characteristic consistently in the formal school setting. One of the main aims of this program is to find the key to unlock the individual from his/her current situation and allow him/her to move on to the positive next phase in either their secondary schooling or post secondary schooling stage. The program is very much based on the notion of finding a more innovative way of letting young people help themselves. (John Burrell, past principal Mount Erin College, 1998)
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Operation Newstart Funding
Across all Newstart programs the salaries of the Teacher and Police facilitators are paid by DEECD & Victoria Police. The schools where the participating students are enrolled contribute a small portion of funds they receive for each enrolled student. All other funding is raised from the communities where each Newstart is located or through sponsors, philanthropic organisations and charities. Save the Children Australia is a strong supporter of all Newstart programs
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Your Support Welcome
If you are interested in how you can support Operation Newstart please contact our Executive Officer, Phil Wheatley – see contact us . You can support Operation Newstart financially via our electronic link by going to the Donate button at the top of the page or by contacting our Executive Officer Phil Wheatley. All donations to Operation Newstart are tax deductible.
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Outcomes
Newstart means lower levels of offending and victimization and better outcomes for young people and their families.See also the Operation Newstart Western Progress and Evaluation Report (1999-2006) PDF Document – 1.08MB
To see the 2009 Term 4 planner click here.
The Operation Newstart Eastern Referral Form can be accessed here, as a Microsoft PowerPoint file.