Above: Lyndhurst Secondary College students Sarah McMillan, Ashley Hunt and Brennan Barwise impress Casey deputy mayor Kevin Bradford with their etiquette skills.
By Sarah Schwager
A GROUP of Lyndhurst Secondary College students has learnt important skills to help prepare them for the world of work.
The school was granted a scholarship by the Beacon Foundation to run a program to encourage young people to not only be focused and intellectually prepared when they step out into the world but also well presented and able to communicate effectively.
The Polish Program, sponsored by the Macquarie Bank, and run by Studio e Deportment School, helps young people with career pathways by providing personal presentation, representation and communication training.
A group of 25 students from years 9, 10 and 11 were each chosen for reasons including lack of confidence, at risk of leaving school early and needing more training in etiquette.
The students were also part of the No Dole Program, run by the Beacon Foundation, in which they must either have a job or else be studying or training in order to get one by March in year 11.
The Polish Program saw the students take part in a day of polishing their social, dress and etiquette skills as they learnt everything from how to dress, do their make-up and hair to mock interviews, confidence building and table manners.
A number of local community leaders, including deputy mayor Kevin Bradford and Pastor David Aberlee were invited to a three-course lunch with the students last Thursday so they could put their new skills into practice.
Lyndhurst Secondary College teachers Trish Chandler and Craig Browne, who coordinated the program, congratulated the students on their willingness to take part and enthusiasm on the day.
Year 11 student Brennan Barwise studies VCAL and attends TAFE one day a week, takes part in a work placement another day and is at school the other three days for his building and construction course.
Year 10’s Ashley Hunt takes part in equine studies at Hillcrest Christian College one day a week while Krystal Tregaskis has a placement at Waverley Private Hospital for her nursing course.
The teenagers were served lunch by William Angliss TAFE Youth Pathways coordinator Phil Sealey and hospitality students who themselves are considered disadvantaged and at risk.
For more information on the Polish Program see www.beaconfoundation.net.
