Wyong High School has an enrolment of 765 students. Of that 15% of students are Aboriginal and 10% of students are from a non-English speaking background.
Principal Rodney Hill not only heads up the High School, but plays a significant leadership role amongst schools in the region, and has championed the Creating Chances programs since our venture into the Central Coast region 8 years ago.
Year 8 student Abbey, was disengaged and misbehaving in class.
Stuart introduced the Champions program workshops and sports activities to inspire the Wyong students to develop their personal and social skills as they learnt to understand themselves, others and their community.
The program explored social and emotional learning through sport, including resilience, communication, teamwork and confidence-building.
The students reflected on their experiences, drew out key concepts and lessons, related the lessons to themselves and learned how to apply the key messages to their lives.
The Program is created specifically for Years 7-10 which allow students to learn to develop a sense of self, personal & social capability, self-awareness, coping mechanisms, positive relationships, and a sense of belonging.
The activities include mixed indoor and outdoor active/sports workshops which grow students’ capacity and understanding of life skills and values.
Rodney Hill noticed a positive change in Abbey.
“She is going through a particularly tough time at present and often says that the Creating Chances is such a highlight. Without this program, I honestly believe she would be completely lost. She is a fighter and I would like to thank Creating Chances for all that it has given all our students.” – Rodney Hill, Principal at Wyong HS.
Abbey is now a SBAT looking to work with us in the future.
Post program involvement there was an improvement of 7.2% in Optimism, 10.3% in Resilience, and 11.6% in Self-efficacy. In terms of Engagement in school, results showed an increase of 7.5% in students feeling that they “belong” at their school, and 11.8% in “liking school”.
These results show the incredible positive impact that the Champions Program has had in Wyong High School, with flow on effects for the wider community.
At Creating Chances, we connect ideas, inspire growth, and empower young people to build confidence, resilience, and optimism for a brighter future.
