By Callum Ludwig
School may have only returned recently but students in the Upper Yarra are already getting hands-on with their learning.
A number of schools in the area are being hosted by Ben’s Shed in Yarra Junction for woodworking classes, helping kids learn some handy skills.
Grade 4,5 and 6 teacher at Don Valley Primary School Kate Weston took some of her students last week and said the students are building timber pencil boxes with slide lids, with more projects to come.
“Apart from the obvious woodworking skills, students gain confidence in themselves, persistence and determination in seeing a project through long term, getting along and teamwork skills when troubleshooting and resilience when bouncing back if something doesn’t go to plan, skills which all align with our school values,” she said.
“The men’s shed volunteers have been so organized and act as wonderful role models and mentors for our students. We absolutely love our local community and see this as a win-win activity where both our students and the volunteers benefit.”
26 kids from Don Valley Primary School, Gladysdale Primary School, Millwarra Primary School and Launching Place Primary School are all set to have the opportunity to get crafty this year.
President of Ben’s Shed Greg Burnham said they’re finding that as the kids come through, there’s an expectation from the younger kids because their older siblings went through and they are excited that it’s their turn.
“It gives the kids an intro into carpentry and other basic trade skills, allows them to produce something with intrinsic value, learn about producing quality and value in a product and provides adult mentoring which they may or may not get at home,” he said.
“Over the course of the programme, their self-esteem and self-worth thing increase which is an excellent thing and schools are using it as an incentive to get kids who have been reticent to come back to school after Covid excited to come to school again.”
