A school-yard initiative giving kids a ‘hands-on’ approach to learning is energising student engagement, says program organiser and AEU Branch Councillor Ann-Maree Mulcaster.

The Hands on Learning program is an in-school initiative schools used to increase attendance and student achievement by building personal and social skills and supporting the different ways young people learn. 

Branch Councillor Ann-Maree Mulcaster runs the initiative at Devonport’s Hillcrest Primary School and says the program – launched by Save The Children – has being invaluable for students. 

“It really does work for student engagement and attendance and getting those students on the verge of disengaging and pulling them back in,” she said. 

“We’ve seen an increase in attendance for some of our kids. It also gives students, who may not engage in the classroom academically, the chance to excell with their skills and their ability to work with others.” 

Mrs Mulcaster said she hoped to see the program grow. 

“One of the students recently said ‘I wish the program ran more than just one day per week’,” she said. 

“It’s a worthwhile program to get involved in, and I’m just so grateful to Save the Children for the support they provide with this, because without them it wouldn’t be so successful.”