Kanahooka High School is a comprehensive, educational high school located 20km south of Wollongong, and has been working alongside Creating Chances since our first expansion to the Illawarra region in 2019.
It has vast social diversity, and draws students from Kanahooka and Koonawarra communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students make up 16% of the school community, and 7% of students are from Non-English speaking backgrounds.
Coordinating Teacher Ben Rostron noted that students at Kanahooka High School experienced disengagement from their classes and a lack of belief in themselves.
With support of school leadership, Creating Chances introduced the Coach program into their school community, as part of the bigger youth development pathway. Students completed a full-term of the Champions program, exploring personal development topics, before immersing themselves in the Coach program the following term. The 10-week program provided the Year 9 and 10 Kanahooka High School students with the opportunity to demonstrate their personal growth through action, creating a safe and brave environment for them to develop as leaders.
The students were empowered as role models to primary school students at Hayes Park Public School and Koonawarra Public School, as they designed and delivered sport programs in a safe, inclusive and fun environment.
The values based coaching program kicks off with Leadership and Coaching Foundations workshops and activities, where students are encouraged to learn through peer and facilitator support, feedback and reflection. Sessions are designed to increase students’ leadership abilities, and their technical understanding of what it takes and what it means to be a coach.
From session 5 of the program, students develop and lead weekly sport sessions for local Primary Schools, School Support Unit or Year 7 students, developing a range of fun activities, and space to demonstrate positive role-modelling. Each session involves session planning, session delivery and reflective practice, with students encouraged to document their journey, as the Creating Chances team stretches and supports them across the program.
Kanahooka High student, Harry, participated in the Coach program and thrived under the guidance from Creating Chances facilitators Elizabeth and Paul. Normally a shy and reserved student, Harry actively developed his leadership, communication and conflict resolution skills by working with children at Hayes Park Public School, with teachers acknowledging a marked improvement in engagement at school whilst gaining a sense of belonging within the school community.
Harry also gained experience in giving and receiving feedback amongst his peers, and learned how to take responsibility for the safety of others through the plan, delivery and reflection of his sport activities.
As he was so moved by his own growth in the program, Harry was encouraged to apply for a traineeship with Creating Chances, which he attained, and within a few months was leading Creating Chances activities and sports at neighbouring Illawarra Sports High School under the guidance of Head Facilitator Paul Saulog.
Harry noticed his growth in confidence and leadership, and put it primarily down to the Coach program that allowed him to stand in front of children and be the focal point.
“It’s cool to be able to help younger students, and be the responsible person students look to for support. Thanks to the familiar and positive environment that Paul and Elizabeth created, I learnt to work together with other students in a team and how to communicate with a purpose”.
Across all Coach programs we see the biggest positive change in students’ Self Efficacy (+11.6%) and Resilience (10.3%) and an 11.8% improvement in “liking school”. Optimism also saw a significant increase of 7.2%.
Student Support Officer Dana, put this down to the unique learning opportunity where students are trusted to lead independently.
“We’ve seen a positive engagement in school and a transfer of that personal development into the classroom. This year we’ve partnered with Creating Chances to develop our own school-branded Creating Chances shirts. The students wear their Coach shirts with pride – as a badge of honour amongst their peers, like they’re part of something special.”
“Harry is a unique case as he earned his School-based Traineeship with Creating chances, but there are many more students like him who will take their leadership and coaching skills and apply them to other education pathways or work domains.”
At Creating Chances, we connect ideas, inspire growth, and empower young people to build confidence, resilience, and optimism for a brighter future.
