Emotional literacy - other activities
Emotional literacy - other activities
Emotional literacy programs at The Smith Family are informal education initiatives and opportunities which support the physical, social and emotional development and well being, as well as the emerging personal skills, talents and interests, of young people.
These are viewed as important to the development of well-rounded individuals. The school curriculum focuses on cognitive skills such as literacy and numeracy, yet personal and social skills are equally influential in determining young people's life chances. Skills such as the confidence to speak to an audience, the ability to work in a team and the authority to take on a leadership role can often be learned during informal activity such as playing in a football team or participating in a music program.
Research indicates that extra-curricular activities, or informal education programs, have more profound benefits when students are aged 8-15. This can be attributed to their developmental stage at this time of the life cycle. Whilst our focus is the transition from primary to high school this does not exclude programs focusing on students outside this age group or which consider the family and the community.
These activities are linked to The Smith Family's Population Outcome, which states that "All young people stay engaged in education and learning". We can be working with individual Learning for Life students or considering a program which targets a Learning for Life school community.
Enriching activities provide students with new opportunities for learning. They can help improve motivation at school, develop social skills and address personal and emotional issues. Common skill developments include: Developing Identity, Developing individual capacity and Developing Relationships with peers, family and community.
Please see below for further information on The Smith Family's Emontional literacy programs.
Art
Engagement in arts programs can play a large role in developing the social skills of a student. Through participation in such programs, students are encouraged to address personal and emotional issues while learning new skills.
Bella
Bella is a program of art-making workshops and exhibition tours designed for groups aged between 15-18 years old. Through Bella, students are afforded access to contemporary art and visual culture and are given the opportunity to spend time with artists and art educators. Click on the link for more information. Fact Sheet - Bella
The Art Project
The Art Project involves students designing and creating an artwork using recycled materials. The program culminates in a public exhibition of the students' work and provides them with an invaluable opportunity to be seen and heard within their community. Fact Sheet - The art project
Music
The Smith Family offers a range of music programs that encourage students to explore their personal identity and express their emotions.
CONverge
The CONverge program seeks to explore and develop students' own musical identity, creativity and potential. Fact Sheet - CONverge
Bone, Thugs & Harmony
Bone, Thugs & Harmony aims to give students the skills and confidence to explore and expand their musical talents in an interactive group environment. Fact Sheet - Bone, Thugs & Harmony
Sport
Participating in sporting activities can enhance a student's self-esteem and help to build their confidence. The Smith Family
recognises the importance of this, and has developed a range of programs that have the potential to develop a student's physical and social skills.
Future Champions Program - Elmore Oil
Please note: The Future Champions Program is being postponed until further notice
The Future Champions Program is designed to provide grants to individual athletes who are seeking to improve their level of sporting achievements. Elmore Oil and TSF have partnered to ensure this opportunity is provided to LfL students and communities around Australia. The program was developed by Elmore Oil from a need and a desire to assist sports development in Australia, ensuring that young sports people from all sporting codes have the opportunity to compete in their chosen field. Fact sheet - Future Champion
Bluearth
Bluearth is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the health of school children and encourage an active lifestyle.
Fact sheet - Bluearth
Leadership
Participating in leadership activities encourages students to take responsibility and helps to build their self-confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness.
Outward Bound
Outward Bound offers exhilarating personal development courses that take people into new territories, giving them the opportunity to test themselves, inspire each other and come back with a new outlook on life and the world. Fact Sheet - Outward bound
Life Skills
Acquiring life skills can have an enormous impact on a student's development. Through its range of programs, The Smith Family aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to confidently interact with both people and the environment in a variety of situations.
City Impact
The City Impact experience aims to strongly motivate students to move beyond their comfort zone, enabling them to extend and challenge themselves through a series of planned activities. Fact Sheet - City impact
Camps
Attending camps encourages students to develop relationships with peers and adults outside their existing network. They can learn to work together as a team, develop their communication skills and try new activities.
Camp Connect
The Camp Connect facility provides an exciting program with activities such as indoor climbing, flying fox, high ropes and indoor games. The program is designed to enhance student's self esteem and their knowledge about healthy lifestyles.
Access
Access offers disadvantaged students the opportunity to participate in and benefit from involvement in extra-curricular activities. By facilitating and funding the provision of a variety of personal development activities to students, Access aims to encourage further participation in the education process. Fact Sheet - Access
