Students learn

By Bridget Brady
The SparkLe Enterprise Project saw Cranbourne Secondary College students who were disengaged or had lost interest in literacy take an active role in their curriculum.
English teacher Roz Muscat said the students became co-designers of their curriculum and decided on a project they wanted to undertake.
The students decided to improve and redesign a classroom and had to obtain community sponsorship to make the work possible.
“What you have to do is create a project that is real and relevant to the kids,” Mrs Muscat said.
Through the SparkLe project the students worked with entrepreneur Julian Sallabank, who shared his knowledge and expertise with them.
The students were required to sell their idea to the community and business world to gain sponsorship, which involved phone calls and writing.
They created a much-improved classroom that included a reading, thinking space and a research and collaboration space, Mrs Muscat said.
The students added computers, a fresh coat of paint and books to the room.
The launch of Our Space was last month.
“Their behaviour changes and it changes their whole approach to that lesson,” Mrs Muscat said.
The program improved the students’ independence and self-motivation and provided them with rich and rigorous learning opportunities, Mrs Muscat said.
The students thanked those who agreed to sponsor the project from far and wide. They included Bunnings Warehouse Cranbourne, Suite Deals, Guest Furniture, Kane Construction, Wooldridge and Pearsons.