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Welcome. Welcome to the first edition of Youthgoss, a newsletter produced by the young people and staff of Workskil Youth.

Once a term, we’re bringing you news, photos, feel-good vibes and creative work from the various ICAN (Innovative Community Action Networks) programs and groups we have in place to help young people in South Australia.

As this is our flagship issue, we are super keen to hear from you - what you liked, what you found helpful, and what you’d like to see more of in future issues. Drop us a line - you never know, you might have your ‘letter to the editor’ printed in the next issue of Youthgoss!

In this issue:• Just write, alright? Letters from a

new point of view.• Workskil Youth’s big day out at the

Clipsal 500.• New locations for Workskil Youth. • POP news.• The art of feeling/the art of

growth.• RAKback (Random Acts of

Kindness). • Congratulations.• Pleased to meet you.• Important dates.• Go with the FLO.• The Wrap.

News from term 1, 2015. Issue 001

Something on your mind?Email your questions and feedback about this term’s issue to youthfeedback@workskil.com.au

goss

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Just write, alright?Letters from a new point of view.

This term we’ve been thinking about things from a new angle. Writing letters from a person in a different time or place helps young people to consider the feelings and experiences of others as if they were their own. Here are some fantastic letters from Luke and Sophie at POP South.

Letter from Gallipoli By Luke at POP South.

Gallipoli Peninsula24 April 1915

Dearest Mary,

I thought I should take this time to write, as I do not believe that I will be able to after tomorrow.We have been told that we shall be landing at Gallipoli facing the Turkish, and even the thought of the firing guns chills me to my bones. I never know when I will draw my last breath, or see my last beautiful sight once shots start flying. I fear for you more than anything, and for the fate of my boy.

It is cold, and that matches the morale of the people that surround me. The war is young, yet there has been so much death and destruction that I am truly sick of it. Perhaps almost sick to death of it. Some of the people that I believed could never fall have been taken away from us all, and I hate to think I will be losing more of the people around me tomorrow.

On a lighter tone, I am missing your loving embrace and the moments that you get to spend with our son that I am away for. I pray that you are well and that even from across the shores, you can feel my love reaching out and yearning for you.

Much love, William.

Letter to my Younger SelfBy Sophie at POP South.

Dear Younger Self,

This is the older version of you. I’m writing to help you make better choices in life than I did.

What you may be going through at the moment is the same thing I went through. I thought at the time it would never end, but it does.

They may not seem important - the decisions you are making at the moment - but they affect the rest of your life.

At the age of ten I swore I would never touch drugs. This soon changed when I was given my first joint.

This was the choice that I should have made differently. I should have said no but I said yes. You now have the chance to make that decision again.

If I knew the things that I would go through I wouldn’t have made the same choices.

For as long as you can, stay innocent but strong.

Things will look up for you very soon.

From,The older version of You!

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New locations for Workskil Youth. 2015 got off to an exciting start with new premises for POP South and POP West.

POP South has been lucky enough to secure new premises in Melrose Park, just behind Workskil Australia’s head office. It was very exciting for the team to move in and make the space their own.

Within this space there is a chill out area, space for completing more formal work and a kitchen where the students can prepare food for themselves. There is a large office for staff and also an office for our Program Manager Jo. There is a park nearby which the students are able to utilise for outdoor activities.

The students have settled in well to their new location and attendance for the first term has been fantastic!

POP West is currently housed by the local Council at Brocas House on Woodville Road, Woodville.

Council are currently renovating a space adjacent to Brocas House. Once this is complete it will be POP West’s new home. Brocas House was built in 1843 and is even said to have it’s very own ghost! We are yet to meet him or her though.

Brocas House offers open space, a kitchen for cooking and some beautiful gardens for the students to flex their green fingers.

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POP news.Southside news from Julie.POP South literally started this term with a bang, expanding to a huge 52 students enrolled! We have focussed on wellbeing throughout term one, with students engaging in all the areas of wellbeing. This included visits from guest speakers like the outstanding Derrick McMannus to engage the youth in Getting Your Head in The Game; Shine (Sexual Health Education) and Beyond Blue speaking about anxiety and depression. We have had fun team-building workshops including a special Minute to Win It competition. The students particularly enjoyed the drug and alcohol workshops, where students got to try vision impairment goggles.POP South now runs two groups with a morning session and afternoon session. The benefits of this have been amazing and many of the students are working hard on completion of SACE assignments and their PLP. We look forward to term two and seeing the young people develop even further.

Westside news from Toni.The POP West students have come back from the summer break with great energy and many showed a renewed focus on completing their SACE. In term one alone, POP West students completed a total of 21 Foundation Skills modules between them.We’ve also said a sad goodbye to our teacher Gabi, who has spent over a year assisting our young people. Thanks for your support, Gabi!

With wellbeing the theme for term one, our students focussed on healthy eating and cooked a few dishes during the term, from spaghetti to burritos. The students have worked on an OPAL project, developing a herb and vegetable garden at Brocas House. We also joined POP South in hearing Derrick McManus speak. It was inspiring for our students to see the importance of never giving up.

Duke of Ed awards. In the Duke of Ed this term we concentrated on wellbeing with the focus on physical education and recreation. We worked as a team on games such as dodgeball and an adaptation of basketball. We have also had some friendly competition in the form of personal training delivered by our expert personal training instructor and Youth Consultant, Jarrod. Whilst not all students participated in personal training or boxing classes, many students reported that they now have a better understanding about the importance of physical activity towards a healthy body and mind. POP West also worked on preparing and painting garden beds to grow an edible garden.

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The art of feeling: depression.Even Heaven can be hell, by Troy at POP South.

In Troy’s words: “This piece was originally just a way to express the way I was feeling at the time but now I hope it can show people that no matter how great your own or someone else’s life may seem you can always suffer from depression. I hope that this made you think and makes you look closer at people because that big smile or laughter may be a cover for a much deeper hell. Hence the title Even heaven can be hell.”

If you or somebody you know is experiencing depression, you can get help by phoning Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.

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The art of growth. Spotlight on Morgan from POP West.We loved this drawing from Morgan at POP West, which fits well with our themes of wellbeing and healthy living. Maybe we’ll discover this little friend has sprouted in our garden!

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Workskil Youth‘s big day out at the Clipsal 500.Five young people from Golden Grove High School who participate in Workskil Youth’s Flexible Learning Options program were lucky enough to attend the Clipsal 500 in style this year, thanks to a generous invitation from the Hon. Jay Weatherall MP, Premier of South Australia.

Accompanied by Workskil Youth staff and Flexible Learning Options teacher Adrian, the group was treated to a private tour of the pits and workshops, equipment demonstrations and opportunities to meet the drivers, taking time out in between to watch the race and activities with refreshments in the VIP South Australia Suite.

“I had the best time at Clipsal and really appreciated the day,” commented Jessica, “I haven’t stopped talking about it!”

“It was a great day,” agreed Brittany, who had the chance to be a passenger in a course car ‘hot lap’. Steve loved the truck jumps and visiting the pit garage, and Alison and Cheyenne enjoyed the weather and atmosphere, and of course the refreshments on offer.

Workskil Youth staff and FLO teacher Adrian acknowledged how good it was to see these young people enjoying themselves. “An opportunity like this gives disadvantaged young people the chance to participate in something they may not ordinarily be able to access,” commented Sladjana Armour, Youth, Health & Community Services Operations Manager for Workskil Australia. “Participation and engagement are so vital to a young person’s development – as people we’re most likely to fulfil our potential when we actively engage in the things that interest us, and social events like the Clipsal are a huge part of that.”

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RAKBack. Random Acts of Kindness news

Within our Random Acts of Kindness program, we started the term by doing random acts on local facilities within our area. This included sweeping the small council owned park basketball zone free of debris from falling trees where some of the students followed this up with a small game of basketball. We also took time to give back to our small business community and pick up litter that had been sprawled out in the carpark of the business area. We even had some compliments from local business owners thanking the students for their effort.

The last weeks of term we have looked at the 100 year anniversary of Gallipoli. The students worked on giving back to the Returned Services League at Marion and have made poppies for the Workskil staff to make a donation and wear in the anticipation that POP would donate money to the RSL. The students raised $112.35 which will be taken to the RSL in term 2.

The students bagged lollies to donate to the Repatriation Hospital for distribution to staff or veterans given the impending closure of the centre. These were delivered to the Repat during the school holidays with a student volunteer. They were well received and a letter of thanks was given to our students.

At POP West, our students participated in a Harmony Day “A Taste Of Harmony” lunch where we put a few recipes together and let the Council pick out their favourites. In conjunction with the Council we prepared and cooked lunch for a number of guests. The students cooked butter chicken, a vegetable curry and samosas. The lunch was enjoyed by all. Our students received a certificate in recognition of their involvement in, and support of, A Taste Of Harmony.

“...Thank you for thinking of our hospital and the patients in our care. Your generosity and kindness is very much appreciated.”Darren Renshaw, Veteran Liaison Officer, Repatriation General Hospital

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Describe yourself in 5 words or less. Caring, understanding, empathic, open-minded and determined. Besides youth work - what other work have you done? Besides working with youth I have also worked in retail, hospitality and child care. What do you do to relax? Yoga, meditation, going for walks and reading. Tell us a random fact about you.When I was a kid I was a detective. Well, I liked to believe I was anyway. I carried around a briefcase with me everywhere with all my detective gear (fingerprint powder, magnifying glass, notebooks etc.) I would watch the news, read the paper and then try to solve all the crimes. I was rather passionate about it and took my detective role very seriously.

Congratulations.• Jordie at POP West completed all 11 units of

the Foundation Skills this term.• Tom and James at POP West started a

Certificate II in Construction and are involved in building the new Youth space at Brocas House.

• Morgan at POP West is leaving to start her journey in a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education.

• Skye and Kyle at POP South attended 100% of the program in term one.

• Daniel at POP South now has a part time job. • Jennifer, FLO student has made some big

changes to her life, including now living independently with part time work, starting a Certificate III in Child Care, getting her provisional drivers’ licence and buying a car. Great results for her massive efforts!

• Thai at POP West has completed stage 1 and 2 of Literacy and Stage 1 Numeracy this term, a huge three semesters worth of work. Thai is now working on his Certificate I in Education Skills Development, which he has almost completed, as well as a research project. Wow!

• Young DJ H (FLO student) has been commissioned to work on Central Districts Football Club promotional videos through his Video Editing studies at Northern Sound System in Elizabeth. Young DJ H (his hiphop artist name) can also be found on YouTube.

• Sean (FLO student) has successfully completed not one but two qualifications this year, a Certificate II in Landscaping and a certificate II in Horticulture, and has now commenced his Certificate III in Landscaping at Para Worklinks.

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Term 2 begins 27 April 2015Term 2 ends 3 July 2015

20 May 2015: Guest speaker, Metropolitan Fire Service Road Awareness Program, POP South

25 May 2015: Guest speaker Ella PakPoy of the Legal Services Commission, POP South

31 May 2015: RAA Street Smart Entertainment Centre 10 am to 2 pm. POP South

3 June 2015: Guest speaker, Cyclone Tracey Survivor, POP West

8 June 2015: PUBLIC HOLIDAY in SA (Queen’s Birthday)

10 June 2015: Guest Speaker, Rubys Reunification Program, POP West

24 June 2015: Guest Speaker, Beyond Blue, POP West

Pleased to meet you.

Introducing Chantelle, Youth Consultant, Workskil Youth.

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Go with the FLO.Flexible Learning Options happenings, from Rob at the Murray Bridge Independent Learning Centre.FLO students from both the Murray Bridge High School and the Independent Learning Centre attended the Health and Wellbeing Festival at The Station, Murray Bridge, on Wednesday 8 April 2015. The Festival kicked off a tad early as part of National Youth Week. At the festival, students participated in taste testing of food prepared by 2012 Master Chef All Stars winner and owner of Sprout Cooking School Callum Hann, as well as watching other cooking demonstrations and short films featured in the Adelaide Fringe focussing on mental health and wellbeing. There were a range of exhibits and many of the students were able to leave with a range of “goodies” provided by the stallholders. Stalls included local mental health providers and support organisations.

Murray Bridge Independent Learning Centre Art students have also worked on ANZAC themed art, with a broad range of drawings, paintings and collages all focussing around the theme of Anzac day. This work is now being exhibited at the Murray Bridge Art Gallery as part of the Rotary ANZAC exhibition and art competition. We are proud to report that four of our students came away with awards:

First Prize: NiamhSecond Prize: AlyssaThird Prize: DanielEncouragement Award: Jessica

All students involved put in a massive effort and produced some great work, like this collage by Kia. Well done to all involved, from your case managers and the Independent Learning Centre staff!

The Wrap. A note from Workskil Australia’sYouth, Health and Community Services Manager, Sladjana Armour.

What a brilliant start to 2015!

It’s been a solid term with some great achievements from our young people.

Within Workskil Youth, we have held the graduation of our first Green Army recruits, won a grant for just over $6000 to purchase equipment (Go-Pro, Apple Mac and software) for our Alternative Education programs, and we have also been successful in becoming the service provider for the “Successful Transitions” program in the Southern region. For those of you who remember Youth Connections – this program will provide the same service for young people aged 17-24. I will certainly provide more details about this great program in the next newsletter and I encourage you to contact me to find out more.

I would like to thank our staff who are dedicated to their roles , who are encouraging, supportive, compassionate and hard working. With this being said – I acknowledge and thank the great partnerships and relationships we have with you all. Our strong connection at school sites, ILC’s, with FLO coordinators, Principals and Deputy Principals – it’s this connection and commitment to our young people that makes a difference.

I hope you enjoyed our newsletter and am sure you agree that there is a lot to celebrate and be proud of.

From now on...

Sladjana