Students learn to help

Marnebek School students, teacher Patrick and representatives from the City of Casey and South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) with the recycled plastic signpost that will publicise the work done by the students.Marnebek School students, teacher Patrick and representatives from the City of Casey and South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) with the recycled plastic signpost that will publicise the work done by the students.

A HALLAM reserve is looking better than ever thanks to the hard work of Cranbourne students with special needs.
Through an initiative of the South East Local Learning and Employment Network (SELLEN) Local Community Partnership, students from Marnebek School in Cranbourne have been busy planting trees and beautifying Gunns Road Reserve.
The project aims to develop the kids’ work and social skills to help prepare them for the workforce.
City of Casey city living manager Richard Amon said students spent one day a week over eight weeks weeding, planting and watering trees as well as undertaking a rubbish collection in which they removed a sofa and truck tyres.
“The students have worked extremely hard beautifying the reserve and are now able to see the fruits of their labour which will live on as the 850 trees they have planted grow and prosper,” Mr Amon said.
The students, teachers, SELLEN and council representatives celebrated the end of the eight-week project at a barbecue at which each of the students was recognised and presented with an award for his or her outstanding work.
The reserve will also include a signpost, made out of recycled plastic, featuring the Marnebek, City of Casey and SELLEN logos to publicise the work undertaken by the students.
“The project has helped build a stronger community, as well as improving our environment to continue to make Casey a great place to live,” Mr Amon said.
“It has also been a positive experience for the students by equipping them with new skills and practical knowledge that will serve them well as they move beyond school to the workforce.”