The Hester Hornbrook Academy celebrated a milestone on Friday, February 21, when it officially opened its new Werribee campus.
Part of the Melbourne City Mission Group, the school provides alternative education for young people aged between 15-25 and welcomed its first 160 students and approximately 40 staff on January 29.
Operating with a philosophy of “Wellbeing for Learning and Learning for Wellbeing,” the school focuses on nurturing a student’s happiness to allow them to focus on their academic performance.
For principal Sally Lasslett, the main goal is to remove as many barriers as possible so that students can engage in learning and reach their potential.
“There is a great need for a school like ours for students who have diagnosed emotional and mental health needs,” she said.
“We acknowledge that our students need wrap-around support and we provide this by having a teacher, a youth worker and an educational intervention specialist in every classroom.”
The trials and tribulations that have made mainstream schooling inaccessible for students can range from family violence, homelessness, the death of loved ones and even lived experience as a refugee.
Beyond support in the classroom, the campus includes several other remedial resources to help disengaged young people feel comfortable and ready to learn.
Medical care, counselling, legal advice, fully stocked kitchen pantry, showers and laundry facilities are among the support infrastructure for students.
The Werribee campus is the fifth Hester Hornbrook Academy campus in addition to existing campuses in Prahran, Sunshine, South Melbourne and in Melbourne’s CBD.
Jaidyn Kennedy
