Why Choose Glendyne.

The program has many facets and support strategies that extend beyond that which students would receive in mainstream schooling.  These features are highlighted below.

The Learning Environment.

• The small school size, maximum of eighty-five, enables a family like atmosphere where we become a stable link in the child’s life, in many cases the only stable link.
• Small class sizes, maximum of twelve students, with an average of seven per class for more personalized attention, with one on one assistance where necessary.
• An individual learning program for each student, self paced to allow students to progress at their own rate, depending on ability.
• A youth worker, mentor or teacher aide works within each class each period, to support the high special needs of each student.
• Teachers and youth workers do case notes on students after every period to monitor issues and progress.
• Teachers debrief every morning and have a three-hour staff briefing each Thursday, to discuss individual student needs and staff support.
• There is close playground supervision at all times during morning tea and lunch breaks.
• Reports go to parent/carers within one day of any incident including positive outcomes. This keeps the parent well informed on progress.
• A positive rewards program is used to encourage the students, to lift self-esteem.  This involves students being able to redeem points for special prizes e.g. Fishing rods, MP3 players etc.

Personal and Family Support.

• Glendyne has its own private bus service, that picks up and returns students to their door each day.  Without this most students would not come.
• A complete parent support program, with regular contact with parents to work together on achieving positive agreed goals with the youth.
• All workboots, overalls, safety apparel, writing materials and all consumables are provided without cost, as most, if not all students come from dysfunctional families on minimal income.

• No fees are charged for any service offered by Glendyne, including all sporting and recreational activities.

• The provision of breakfast and lunch, as most of the students do not eat adequately at home.

• A Court support program is provided for students, to assist them and their families as they go through court for juvenile offences.

• A Mentor program links students into out of hours activities with a positive role model.   These activities include: three sport teams, sailing program on the big ships, fishing on weekends, water sports activities, mountain climbing, Fraser Island camps, fishing camps for parents/mentor and child, a woodwork class at night for the male mentor and the child to build the relationship. (all mentors undertake a full training program).

• A qualified counsellor on an ‘as needed’ basis.

• The provision of out of hours contact to principal and youth workers to deal with personal issues as they arise out of hours.  This often includes assisting youth with police interviews or assisting with drug issues and self harming behaviour.

Interagency and Community Support.

• Local community groups and charities assist across all areas including fundraising (we need to raise over $400,000 per year to operate).

• The use of networking with other youth agencies allows us to deal with specific issues as they arise.  These include: Department of Communities with relation to homelessness or family issues; working with Juvenile Justice referrals; Reconnect, dealing with health and family breakdown and aggression programs; Lifeline; Mental Health; the prison youth crime prevention program with Maryborough Detention Centre where the boys go inside the prison and talk with selected inmates to deter a life a crime.

• We work closely with selected employers who offer traineeships and general employment specific to our students.

• Fraser Coast SITE work onsite in assisting boys to prepare for employment including resumes and job interview techniques.