Youth Research News Vol 8 No 3; July

In This Issue:

• Publications
• Conferences
• Project Update
• PD Unit
• Staff News

Insert in this issue:
National Mental Health in Schools Project

Publications:

Research Report 17:

Life Patterns, Choices, Careers: 1991-1998
Peter Dwyer, Aramiha Harwood and Debra Tyler
June 1998; ISBN 0 7340 1392 2

This Research Report presents a progress analysis of our large longitudinal study of young Victorians who were planning to finish their schooling in 1991. The original data base included 29,155 participants, who were resurveyed a year later. In 1995, a matching sample of 10,985 from the original set was contacted again to provide an up-date on their progress since 1991. Then in 1996, 1997 and now again in 1998 we have conducted a detailed annual survey with a representative sample of about 2,000 (composed mainly of those still involved with further study), as well as individual interviews with a sub-sample of 100.

We intend to continue this annual process through to the end of the year 2000, which will thus provide us with a ten-year-long record of their life-pattern, choices and careers. Because the participants are now in their mid-twenties and have nearly all completed their full-time courses of study, it seems appropriate at this stage to draw together our overall findings, prepare the ground for the next three years of the Project and offer an analysis of some of the main theoretical implications of the research so far.

From the surveys it can be shown that over half of the 2,000 have graduated from a course in their further studies. In addition, over half have made a change in their studies in some way - their institution/course, deferred, discontinued. By 1997, 54% considered they had found genuine career prospects.

From the qualitative data, the social, economic, political and individual circumstances of this generation are explored. The choices these young people have and are making are placed in the context of structural constraints and the changing social environment. How they negotiate the barriers to their life-goals is investigated further; and questions of how much agency is involved in their life-pathways are raised.

Research Report 17 is available from the Youth Research Centre.

To order a copy, call (03) 9344 9633 or fax (03) 9344 9632.

Cost: $5 for current financial members or $10 for non financial members

Democracy Starts Here!

This book is about Junior School Councils at work in primary schools.

Students and teachers write about their experiences, not as 'citizens-in-waiting', but as active and involved citizens, asserting their ability to take part in school and community decision making.

In Democracy Starts Here! you can learn:

• what Junior School Councils do
• how to set up and structure a JSC
• about reporting to students and others
• about valuable resources and networks and
• how to support student councils

Produced by schools in the Preston and Reservoir areas; with support from

the Lance Reichstein Foundation.

Copies of Democracy Starts Here! Junior Councils At Work:

$7 each, or two copies for $12 (postage included)

Connect

Issue 111 of Connect (the journal supporting student participation, June 1998) leads off with a report of the ACER study, 'What's the Point?' - Political Attitudes of Victorian Year 11 Students. This study examined student cynicism about political participation, and the article also looks at what schools can do in response to that cynicism.

There are also articles in this issue about the development of a Tasmanian Statewide SRC, about the student-participation e-mail list, the 'Under Our Skin' seminar on racism, SRC constitutions and the student tour to the US National Association of Student Councils Conference.

Connect is available from the Youth Research Centre ($4 per copy) or on subscription from: Connect, 12 Brooke Street, Northcote 3070 Victoria

for $20 (individual) or $30 (organisational) per year.

Rethinking Youth

Johanna Wyn, Rob White
Allen & Unwin, January 1997

Young people grow up in varied circumstances with different priorities and perspectives. While youth does not exist in as a single group we need to understand what is happening in young people's lives. Rethinking Youth challenges the conventional wisdoms surrounding the position and opportunities of young people today and provides a systematic overview of the major perspectives in youth studies.

The authors demonstrate how the concept of youth involves a tension between the social significance of age, which gives young people a common status, and the significance of other social divisions. Drawing upon studies from different societies, they examine debates surrounding youth and economy, youth development, youth subcultures, youth transitions and youth marginalisation.

Rethinking Youth offers a provocative critique of mainstream conceptions of youth, the programs and strategies designed for 'at risk' young people and policy development in youth affairs. It calls for greater sensitivity to the complexities of youth, the greater emphasis on democracy and equality in dealing with the problems experienced.

Rethinking Youth is now available from the Youth Research Centre.

To order a copy please call (03) 9344 9633 or fax (03) 9344 9632

Cost: $25 (includes postage)

Conferences

Regional Futures Conference

Helen Stokes recently attended the Regional Futures Focal Conference as part of the Learning Communities, Regional Sustainabilty and the Learning Society, International Symposium. It was held in Launceston from 17th - 19th July.

Helen presented a paper written by herself and Johanna Wyn entitled “Community Strategies: Addressing the Challenges for Young People Living in Rural Australia". This was based on some of the research completed for the report “Young People Living in Rural Australia” (Research Report 16; available from the YRC) with further material on community strategies that are being developed around Australia both by and for young people.

The paper was well received with around eighty people attending the presentation. It generated much discussion with many of the participants being from rural areas with strong views on strategies and issues in rural areas. The paper will be available in the Conference proceedings. For information, email: Susan. Jay@utas.edu.au

National Rural Education Conference

Rural Community Partnerships - Education for the 21st Century

Exploring Education and Training Developments in Rural Communities

October 1,2 & 3 1998

The School of Mines & Industry Ballarat, Victoria

Hosted by: Country Education Project (Inc.)

National Rural Education Conference

PO Box 16, Elmore 3558

Tel: (03) 5432 6498 Fax: (03) 5432 6068

Project Updates

VET in Small Rural Schools

The researcher on this project, Helen Stokes has now completed the visits to the small rural schools in Victoria. The schools visited were Camperdown CRC, Charlton College, Warracknabeal SC, Yarrawonga SC, Orbost SC, Corryong SC.

All of these schools have 300 or less students. The issues for the school in trying to provide VET centre around

• the availability of work placement in small towns
• transport
• resources, human and physical
• numbers of students
• cost for provision of subjects

Maureen Chiswell From CEP and Helen have also visited three schools in rural Queensland at Cleremont, Capella and Moura. They will use this material to compare the difference in the State systems. Added to this material will be a visit to three South Australian Schools this term.

The next stage of the project is about to start with a number of small rural Victorian school being identified that are currently not running VET but would like to develop it. The learning from the first stage of the project will assist with the implementation of the VET programs in these schools.

Linking Schools and Communities Project

The evaluation of this project is beginning as the schools and communities are identified and the projects started.

The Five projects are at:

• Launceston Senior College, Launceston TAS
• Cleveland Street High School, Sydney, NSW
• Canadian Lead Primary School, Ballarat, VIC
• Banksia Secondary College, Heidelberg, VIC
• Dareton Community Arts Project, Dareton, NSW

At this stage the initial visits and reports have been completed for Launceston and Cleveland Street. The initial visit will soon be made to the other three sites who have recently become part of the project. There will be a description of all five projects and the initial phase in the next newsletter. Further information can be obtained on the individual projects from Joan Brown at ACEE on 02 95652948 or fax: 02 95652954.

PD Unit

Helen Cahill, in conjunction with Ruby Pictures, has developed a trigger video for use at Parent Forums on the issue of drugs and alcohol. The video includes six scenarios showing parents and teenagers interacting around drug issues. The scenarios will accompany a booklet on running Parent Forums on drug issues which Helen is currently writing for National Life Education.

Staff News

Shelley Turner & Talitha Walklate

Shelley Turner and Talitha Walklate are two placement students working at the YRC on the ongoing Youth Sector Funding Project. Shelley is a first year, full-time Social Work student and Talitha is a second year, part-time Social Work student.

Shelley has been a senior volunteer leader with the Essendon YMCA for around ten years and also coordinates their Youth Clubs, Youth Camps and Leadership Training programs. She has also been involved with numerous other youth organisations. Shelley has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Melbourne, with majors in Advanced German and Anthropology, and a Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education from La Trobe University, Bendigo. Her career interests include both Youth Research and hands-on youth work.

Talitha's past experience has predominantly been in the area of direct care of the elderly, disabled and children, as she has been working for some years as a personal care attendant/community support worker. Talitha also has a General Nursing degree from Latrobe University, Bendigo. Talitha is looking forward to exploring a new area of work and gaining valuable research experience. She has not yet settled on a particular career interest, preferring at present to leave her options open.

We welcome them both to the YRC!

Johanna Wyn

YRC Director, Associate Professor Johanna Wyn is currently overseas. Her first stop is Los Angeles, where she will address the Rand Corporation. She then goes to Montreal, Canada to the International Sociological Association Conference where she will be presenting a paper. Johanna will be back on August 4th.

Peter Dwyer

Associate Professor Peter Dwyer is also currently overseas, having a well earned break in the south of France. He's then off to the International Sociological Association Conference in Montreal to present a paper. Peter will also be back in early August.

Bob Semmens

Dr Bob Semmens presented a paper on the role of schooling in delinquency prevention at the Conference on Juvenile Justice for Indigenous Young People held in Cairns from June 15 - 17.

Bob also participated in a two-day in-service on Full-Service Schooling held in New Zealand which brought together teachers and administrators in health, education and welfare. Bob's paper was on "A Community Development Model for Full-Service Schooling".

An article for the journal Training Agenda has also been submitted by Bob, entitled: "Vocational Education and Training for Offenders".

Roger Woock

Dr Roger Woock is currently in South Africa to attend a conference. He's then off to the United States and Canada. Roger returns to Australia on August 12.

More details on all these conferences will be available in the next newsletter, when staff members return.

Mind Matters:
National Mental Health in Schools Project:

National Training Seminar May 14-18

“They came from the outer edges of reality”

May saw the production of the draft curriculum materials for trial and evaluation by the 24 pilot schools around Australia. The materials broadly encompass four areas; bullying and harassment, loss and grief, enhancing resilience and understanding mental illness. An annotated bibliography of other useful schools resources is included. Materials were distributed to selected teachers from each of the schools via an intensive two day training workshop held at the Ibis Hotel in Melbourne.

Over 50% of pilot schools are situated in rural or remote locations so the training event was a long way from participants daily reality and a chance to meet each other, connect and share their experiences of mental health issues in their schools and broader communities. It was also a venue in which they were worked hard, challenged, stimulated and enthused to take their new skills back to their classrooms, their fellow teachers and staff rooms and other support personnel/agencies with which they may deal.

The 24 Pilot Schools are situated in:

• Darwin, Tennant Creek and Elliot in the Northern Territory,
• Perth, Corrigin, and Karratha in Western Australia
• Gepps Cross and Burra in South Australia
• Brisbane, Deception Bay and Palm Island (Bwgcolman) in Queensland
• Hobart and Cygnet in Tasmania
• Lake Tuggeranong ACT, Sydney, Batthurst and Coffs Habour in New South Wales
• Melbourne, Wangaratta and Heywood in Victoria

The numbers were such that the pilots were divided into two groups so that participant interaction in workshops was maximised and this saw 35 teachers from pilots in NT, WA, SA and QLD present on Fri 15 & Sat 16 of May and 31 teachers from TAS, VIC, NSW & ACT present on Sun 17 & Mon 18 May.

The Mindmatters Project is managed by a consortium consisting of The University of Sydney, Deakin University, Melbourne University and National ACHPER (Australian Council for Health & Physical Recreation) and is housed within the Youth Research Centre.

The training was written and designed by the very talented trainer and consultant, Helen Cahill of the Youth Research Centre, and featured the use of “Roleplay Technology”. This dynamic tool engages young people in classroom discussion and encourages active problem solving as a way of enhancing young people's feelings of empowerment and therefore resilience.

Workshops were run on each of the draft curriculum units by the writer/s of the unit with contributions from other experienced and specialist training and curriculum practicioners who attended and to whom we send our thanks. These were:

• Loss and Grief - Dr Louise Rowling (unit author), University of Sydney
• Dealing with Bullying & Harassment - Helen Cahill and Pamela Morrison (unit authors), University of Melbourne
• Enhancing Resilience - Helen Cahill and Pamela Morrison (unit authors), University of Melbourne
• Understanding Mental Illness - Marg Sheehan & Bernie Marshall (unit authors), Deakin University ; Coosje Griffith, President AGCA & member of MindMatters Reference Group (contributing author) ; Mary Edwards, “Mental Health & Indigenous Australians”(workshop), Tranby Aboriginal College - (MM Ref Group)

Also present to interact with participants and offer insights from their very extensive experience, were Clare Koch from the well know “Seasons for Growth” program and Roger Holdsworth of the Youth Research Centre, who's work with issues of student participation and “voice” are widely published and highly respected within secondary school circles.

Included were “think tank” sessions which focused on the “whole school” aspect of the mental health issue and the importance of clearly established procedures within school communities as a tool for enabling early intervention strategies to be utilised where possible, rather than damage control after an event or escalation of perceived student problems. On the Saturday evening a social dinner was held combining the two groups of participants and guest speaker was Mr Barry Taylor, co-author of “Educating for Life: Guidelines for effective suicide prevention programs in secondary schools”. Pilots will be trailing these guidelines over the length of the pilot study and Barry's address highlighted his personal experiences with the issue of youth suicide, the most obvious do's and don'ts and the real need to document clear policies and procedures for classroom teachers to follow when they perceive one of their students in at risk.

Overseen by the Project Co-Ordinator Mrs Shirley Carson, the event was very productive and successful in terms of achieving the training and awareness aims it set out to meet. This has been evident in the increase in pilot school enthusiasm for generating reports and feedback to the project office and Shirley, who is monitoring the individual progress of schools toward their chosen curriculum and “whole school” planning objectives.

The training is being delivered as part of an overall training/support strategy which sees team members visit pilots on location 2-3 times over the course of the project, teachers from pilots coming to a central training and then returning for a central evaluation workshop at the end of the year. Dates are now being finalised for the second team visit to schools during third term to reinforce the teaching skills learned at the training, revisit networking with community resources in mental health and re-evaluate the” whole school” plans and procedures decided upon by core teams at each school after the initial visit from the Mindmatters team.

Anyone wishing to see a project brief or to go on the mailing list to receive our newsletters should get in touch with the Project Officer, Anne Sheehan, at the Youth Research Centre on (03) 9344-9639 ph 9344-9632 fax or email: mindmat@edfac.unimelb.edu.au
More specific enquiries can be directed to the Project Co-Ordinator Mrs Shirley Carson on (03) 9344-9640.