School making waves

Every Wednesday, Principal Greg Fuchs and a staff member – they all have their boating licences – and three or four students, the same for a term, jump into their fishing boat and collect as much rubbish as they can from the beaches and inlets.
Called the Take 10 project, the aim is to collect 10 bags of rubbish each time they go, return, sort and recycle it through two local recycling firms.
“We also received a grant for $15,000 and hope to produce a documentary on our efforts later this year to highlight sustainability,” Mr Fuchs said.
With most students having an intellectual disability and a disadvantaged background, school life has not always been easy but at Rowland Hassall, there’s no keeping them away.
“We also have a Warriors program once a week where a role model life coach comes in to teach outdoor tasks like landscaping, paving and gardening which is very popular.
“We will have a new sensory room being built this year, feature mindfulness yoga daily and TAFE teachers come in weekly for various courses. This term is the Barista course after which our participants will get a qualification.”
Mr Fuchs took a group of students to the Gold Coast last year and previously to Fraser Island and the Daintree with the aim of “shifting mindsets”.
“We try to take them out of their comfort zone, give them opportunities so they can see that you can do different things in life,” he said.
“We’ve had some great successes including students finding work, being happier and not wanting to miss a day of school.”
For more info, call the school on 9645 4800.