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CCS in top gear for road safety

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In recent weeks, road safety has been a focus for many students at Cire Community School (CCS).

Thanks to funding through the 2021/2022 VicRoads Community Road Safety Program, Safer Vehicles and Looking After Our Mates (LAOM) innovations have been delivered at the Yarra Junction and Mt Evelyn campuses. More are scheduled in the coming weeks, as well as at Berwick, including the pre-Learner driver course, Changing Gears which was also delivered for Cire students in November.

VET Careers and Pathways Leader Karen Swankie, who has been the driving force behind the program at Cire for several years, commended the opportunities and level of student engagement.

“It is so important for students to have access to this type of information as they prepare to sit for their Learner permits and buy their first vehicle,” Karen said.

“We are all road users, whether as a driver or a passenger, so all have a responsibility for the safety of everyone on the roads.”

Karen commended the Department of Transport for its ongoing support for Cire students through its Community Road Safety Program funding.

“Programs like Changing Gears, and now Safer Vehicles and LAOM have become an important part of what we can offer students and support them in responsibly achieving significant milestones like gaining their driver’s licence and making the right choices in life,” Karen added.

Cire is a pilot school for the Safer Vehicles intervention, and Margaret Walpole from the Department of Transport visited

CCS in top gear for road safety

William Laing with Safer Vehicles facilitator at Mt Evelyn campus, Linda Jane, who has also been delivering Changing Gears at Cire for several years.

as an observer for the recent Mount Evelyn innovation. Mrs Walpole, the Community Road Safety Coordinator for the Metropolitan South East Region, also visited Yarra Junction for the LAOM presentation.

Students who participated in the day-long Safer Vehicles program learned about ‘how safe is your car’, things to look out for when buying a car and making safer choices. Students learned about the differences between the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and used car star ratings.

The value of the Safer Vehicles program was captured by the following student comments:

  • The program was great; this information will help me choose a safer car.
  • This program is suited to young people who are ready to get their first car.
  • I didn’t know about the websites for checking the safety of cars, I am going to show my family.

Students also found the LAOM presentation by facilitator Greg Ryan from the Department of Transport, also very informative:

  • I really enjoyed the information; it was insightful, learning about the laws.
  • Really good; it taught me a lot about drinking and how long alcohol can stay in your system.
  • This is the second time I have seen this presentation; the person presenting was good. The videos were good, better than being spoken at.

Main image – students Zahra Mackie and Kyha Edwards with Karen Swankie, Marg Walpole from the Department of Transport and LAOM facilitator, Greg Ryan.

Click here for further information on our youth education programs.

L-permits for Christmas

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Christmas came early for some students at Cire Community School who recently attained their Learner Driver permits after successfully completing a Changing Gears program.

It was a particularly exciting way to end the year and given the much anticipated Changing Gears pre-learner driver education program had been rescheduled three times due to COVID restrictions.

Twelve students participated in the pre-Learner driver education program at the Mount Evelyn campus with seven ultimately gaining their Ls on the final day. All 12 students learned valuable lessons in safety, persistence and practice and had a great time engaging with the course.

The following comments help capture the value of the experience:

It was a bit confusing at times but then it made sense.

There are lots of the questions that just take time to work out the safest option. It’s like a puzzle.

Changing Gears has become an important part of what Cire Community School’s offers and helps students achieve one of the ”rites of passage” which may not otherwise be within easy reach, as well as contribute to keeping our roads safer.

It has been made possible by support and funding through the Department of Transport and VicRoads as a safer driver and passenger intervention. Students have achieved 100 per cent success rates for almost every program.

“Changing Gears gives students, and their families, the confidence to undertake their Learner’s permit test and then gain invaluable time driving under adult supervision,” explained Karen Swankie who has been instrumental in securing the necessary grant funding and overseeing the program.

“It provides a supported environment that breaks down the road rules into manageable learning opportunities and as a result, our students have been incredibly successful in gaining their Learner permits over the years.”

Changing Gears gives students, particularly those with low literacy levels and self-confidence, the opportunity to achieve success by learning the road rules in a supportive environment with their peers. Facilitators work with individual students on areas where they may require extra support and students are able to learn with their peers, which further embeds the learning. Being able to sit for the test with a group, rather than alone, helps to alleviate nervousness associated with testing.

Students in the most recent Changing Gears program loved their instructor Linda who was able to communicate the road rules in an effective manner using a range of digital and physical mediums such as videos, quizzes, PowerPoint presentations and physical maps to demonstrate traffic manoeuvres. The students particularly appreciated the practice quizzes as they gave them valuable insights into the learner’s test and further familiarised them with the rules of the road.

Linda provided lots of support to the students throughout the sessions and checked in on their wellbeing and understanding on a regular basis. Students were reminded that the Victorian road rules always looked for the safest approach and that the quizzes could be completed with common sense. Linda spent time with each student, helping develop that ‘common sense’.

On the day of the test, many of the students were excited to finally sit for their Ls. They were all very encouraging towards each other even though some were not able to pass on the day. Overall, we had a high success rate and those who did not pass have the option to try again in February.

For future students completing this course, be sure to have the correct documents and identification.

Cire has again been awarded funding for Changing Gears in 2021/2022. Our school is also set to be the benchmark in the region for a new safer vehicles intervention which is being rolled out for the first time, as well as a Looking After Our Mates online session.

Best wishes and safe driving to all those new Learners on the road!

 

 

 

Students defy COVID, storm event to gain L-permits

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COVID lockdowns and restrictions and a devastating storm event failed to deter a group of students from Cire Community School’s Mount Evelyn campus who pushed through the additional challenges to gain their Learner Driver’s permits.

Having completed their Changing Gears Pre-Learner Driver education program, their Learner Permit tests on the fifth and final day were postponed due to the recent COVID lockdown and then again as a result of widespread power outages and disruptions caused by the damaging storm event that pounded the region and other parts of the Victoria in early June.

It’s an anxious time for anyone preparing for their Learner permits with candidates keen to sit their tests as soon as possible when they are ready. Our students truly showed their determination, resilience and competency on the third successful attempt with a 100 per cent pass rate and, on the day, having to enter the centre one at a time over several hours to undertake their tests due to COVID social distancing restrictions.

The now learner drivers from Mount Evelyn are among a total of 18 Cire Community School students who have gained their Learner Driver’s permits in recent weeks thanks to the Changing Gears program which focuses on the knowledge required for safer drivers and passengers and good decision making. Programs were successfully delivered at the Mount Evelyn and Yarra Junction campuses but a third had to be rescheduled to August, again due to the recent COVID shutdown.

Changing Gears has become an important part of Cire Community School’s offerings for several years and helps students achieve one of the ”rites of passage” which may not otherwise be within easy reach, as well as contribute to keeping our roads safer.

It has been made possible by support and funding through the Department of Transport and VicRoads. Students have achieved 100 per cent success rates for almost every program. Of significance is that Cire has as recently awarded funding for the safer driver and passenger intervention for 2021/2022 and is set to become the benchmark in the region for a new safer vehicles intervention which is being rolled out for the first time, as well as a Looking After Our Mates online session.

 “Changing Gears gives students, and their families, the confidence to undertake their Learner’s permit test and then gain invaluable time driving under adult supervision,” explained Karen Swankie who has been instrumental in securing the necessary grant funding and overseeing the program.

“It provides a supported environment that breaks down the road rules into manageable learning opportunities and as a result, our students have been incredibly successful in gaining their Learner permits over the years. We are now very excited to be able to extend our offerings to the additional interventions of safer vehicles and also Looking After Our Mates. ”

Karen and Willa Vale, who helped coordinate the recent program at the Mount Evelyn campus, emphasised the importance for Cire students to experience success.

Willa explained: ”Changing Gears gives students, particularly those with low literacy levels and self-confidence, the opportunity to achieve success by learning the road rules in a supportive environment with their peers. Facilitators work with individual students on areas where they may require extra support and students are able to learn with their peers, which further embeds the learning. Being able to sit for the test with a group, rather than alone, helps to alleviate nervousness associated with testing. It is such a valuable program for our students.”

Cody VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Cody VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Rebecca VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Rebecca VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Hugo VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Hugo VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Johnny VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Johnny VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Shaun VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Shaun VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Ben VCAL Student - Changing Gears
Ben VCAL Student - Changing Gears

The following feedback from students further highlights the value of the program:

I joined the Changing Gears program to hopefully gain a clearer understanding of the Learner’s permit test and to get started on my journey to becoming a responsible driver. The program exceeded my expectations, our teacher was a kind and patient lady who was willing to explain what and why the information she was presenting was valid.  I found it to be incredibly helpful and encouraging and would recommend others do it when the opportunity comes again – Tom

I really enjoyed the program and the extra support I received – Ben

I thought it was really good. It was good that it was at school so everyone was on the same level – Myles

It helped to have the support of other students in the class to learn the stuff – Ruby

I have been waiting to get my Learners through the school with the Changing Gears program – Shaun

It was good to learn with my mates – Hugo

I wasn’t able to get my Learners during COVID so it was good to be able to finally get it – Keely

Changing Gears - learner driver program

Cire welcomes role in new $4.5m youth health hub

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A new youth health hub for young people with locations in Lilydale, Belgrave, Healesville and Yarra Junction is on track to open in August 2020.

Cire Services Inc. is excited and proud to be part of the consortia behind the hub, which is lead by Inspiro Community Health Service and includes Oonah Health and Community Services Aboriginal Corporation, Anchor and Eastern Legal Community Centre.

In March 2019, the Australian Government announced $4.5m funding for the Integrated Youth Health Hub (IYHH), which will provide young people, and their families and carers with a single entry point to access a range of no-cost or low-cost primary health care, community and social services.

The Knox headspace satellite in Lilydale, which is separately funded by the Australian Government, will work in collaboration with the hub.

Cire CEO Gus Seremetis said the consortia partners bring diverse skills and expertise, as well as additional venues across the Yarra Ranges, with a strong local presence and connections.

“As well as adding value, this will create opportunities for more community involvement.

“We will also work closely with Yarra Ranges Council and other agency partners to bring the Hub to life,” she said

Federal Member for Casey Tony Smith MP welcomed the announcement that locally-based organisations will run the new Integrated Youth Health Hub for Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN).

“With $4.5 million of Federal Government funding over three years, the Lilydale-based hub, along with a separately funded headspace satellite service, will deliver vital health and support services for young people aged between 12 and 25 living in the outer east, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.

“Having fought for improved youth health services, it’s great to know the hub and headspace satellite service will soon get underway and be making a difference in people’s lives,” he said.

EMPHN CEO, Janine Wilson, said the service aims to improve access, service coordination and integration for young people in the region.

“Through the hub, young people and their families will be able to access a range of health and wellbeing activities; mental, physical and sexual health services, including access to a General Practitioner; as well as alcohol and other drugs services, and community and social services such as housing and legal assistance,” she said.

Inspiro Community Health CEO Sue Sestan said the activities and services will be delivered by the consortium members and a range of other local partners.

“How the services are delivered will be guided by the voice of young people from the area via a Youth Reference Group.

“The services will be appropriate to the local community, providing connections, interventions and seamless care to young people where and when they need it,” she said.

Oonah CEO Anne Jenkin said our experience of embracing and supporting our young people and celebrating culture is key to our identity.

“We’re pleased to be bringing that expertise and approach into the hub development with our partners,” she said.

Anchor CEO Heidi Tucker said the hub will feature a strong ‘lived experience’ workforce.

“We will employ staff who have used a variety of health services as young people who will assist other young people to navigate and use the services they need,” she said.

Eastern Community Legal Centre CEO Michael Smith said young people need to feel they belong and can trust the services they access.

“Once they have that, they usually don’t want to retell their story to lots of different professionals.

“The hub gives us a real opportunity to wrap health and other supports around them, with confidentiality and care,” he said.

The hub will be located in Lilydale with outreach services operating from Belgrave, Healesville and Yarra Junction.

The hub was co-designed with local health and community services, the education sector, Yarra Ranges Council, youth representatives and other community members.

A Youth Reference Group will be involved in designing, monitoring and evaluating hub activities and services during its operation.

The hub is currently funded until 30 June 2022 by the Australian Government under the PHN program.

Integrated Youth Health Hub (IYHH)