Tasman District High School 2000

School Profile

Tasman District High School is situated in a rural location with a K – 10 student population.  It is situated in a low socio-economic area.  The school is a major focus within the community.  It maintains strong links with the community population. 

Getting Started 

We began by:

·        Holding discussions on approaches made by Anglicare Tasmania to pilot a ‘Let’s Face It Program’ within the Tasman Community (with an emphasis on school involvement).

·        Securing financial support from the ‘Let’s Face It Project’.

·        Support staff participating in a training workshop.

 Planning

 What steps did we follow?

·        Drama workshop and presentations co-facilitated by drama professional were conducted.

·        Community support workers, school support and health education teachers, community members and students participated in workshops. 

Major Focus 

Our goals and strategies were to:

·        Identify and demonstrate through drama presentations the positive concepts of healthy relationship behaviours.

·        Identify support networks for students, and friends and families experiencing unhealthy relationships.

·        Incorporate the concept of healthy relationships into schools.

 Key Results 

·        Drama presentations and video recordings were presented to an invited audience of fellow students, staff, parents and community members.

·        Resource folders and support work was presented to students.

·        School website produced ‘Lets Face It’.

·        Healthy relationships were reinforced through health lessons with video and activities.

 Evaluation of Let’s Face It Project. 

§          Students were well motivated by the drama workshops

§          Students were positive in their presentation of their scenarios to the audience of students, staff and parents

§          Students were open and honest in their discussions

§          Students responded well to working with the adults and support workers in their groups

§          Students, teachers and other adults were working at the same level throughout the workshop

§          Facilitators’ support, guidance and feedback were excellent

§          Students saw teachers and other adults in a different light and commented favourably on this and likewise students were viewed by each other in another light

§          Everyone’s experiences were accepted as valid

§          Everyone participating in the various drama activities allowed themselves to be vulnerable and open to challenges

§          Facilitators instructions were clear and carefully guided the participants throughout the exercises and activities

§          Activities covered a wide variety of topics and presentations including mime, scripted acts, freeze frames, mediation skills, trust and co-operation, conflict and chaos, and humour

§          Folders of materials for students use were followed up by staff

§          Teachers expressed the view that through the medium of drama that girls were able to determine more of their rights