AWOL - Scope, Objective and Process
Scope and what it is
AWOL stands for Another Way of Learning. The group comprises of 20 Year 7 and 8 students. The students have an opportunity to apply for the programme at the end of Year 6 and Year 7. Any Year 7 students who are already in the programme are offered the opportunity to carry on in the programme for the following year.
Students who participate in the programme work towards completing their William Pike Award. For the award students have to complete 20 hours of community service, 20 hours of passion projects (learning a skill that they have never done before but are interested in) and 5 physical activities of more than 2 hours in duration.
Students take part in AWOL from 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and generally complete their Challenge Hub Logs and Community Service during this time. Students complete their passion project hours in their own time. The 5 physical activities are organised during school time but outside the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
The programme is fully funded by the school so money is not a barrier and is accessible for all students.
Objectives
The objectives of the programme are to:
Process
Students apply for the programme by completing an AWOL application form. The applications are reviewed and the participants are selected based on their application, attendance and suitability for the programme (educational benefits and have a reasonable level of physical fitness).
What we have found so far
Scope and what it is
AWOL stands for Another Way of Learning. The group comprises of 20 Year 7 and 8 students. The students have an opportunity to apply for the programme at the end of Year 6 and Year 7. Any Year 7 students who are already in the programme are offered the opportunity to carry on in the programme for the following year.
Students who participate in the programme work towards completing their William Pike Award. For the award students have to complete 20 hours of community service, 20 hours of passion projects (learning a skill that they have never done before but are interested in) and 5 physical activities of more than 2 hours in duration.
Students take part in AWOL from 12pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and generally complete their Challenge Hub Logs and Community Service during this time. Students complete their passion project hours in their own time. The 5 physical activities are organised during school time but outside the Tuesday and Thursday sessions.
The programme is fully funded by the school so money is not a barrier and is accessible for all students.
Objectives
The objectives of the programme are to:
- Create engaging learning outside the classroom
- Engage learners who may find learning in the classroom difficult
- Help students make real life connections with their classroom learning
- Improve mental well-being by being outdoors and doing physical work
- Improve student engagement when in the classroom
- Build resiliency through gratitude, empathy and mindfulness
Process
Students apply for the programme by completing an AWOL application form. The applications are reviewed and the participants are selected based on their application, attendance and suitability for the programme (educational benefits and have a reasonable level of physical fitness).
What we have found so far
- Students have been more engaged in the classroom
- Students have loved making a difference for their school and community
- Students have learnt leadership skills and found friends through the programme
- Rather than having an impact on students learning the time out of the classroom has improved student learning