MELBOURNE: 18th May '04 --  St. Joseph's College, Ferntree Gully (in the State of Victoria) has been selected as the only Catholic school in Victoria, and the only Salesian school in the nation to be part of the Commonwealth Government 'Lighthouse' project aimed at improving educational outcomes for boys.

 

St. Joseph's is one of the few boys-only Salesian schools in Australia. Many years ago most Salesian schools became co-educational, but for many reasons, St. Joseph's remained as a single-sex school and set out to become one of the best exemplars of this kind of schooling in a nation where much debate has taken place about the plight of boys, especially given the difficulties which have beset the male role model in many western societies.

 

The 'Lighthouse' project has two distinct dimensions, one of academic literacy, the other of social and emotional literacy.  Both literacies are able to 'translate' into key Salesian preventive education approaches.  The social and emotional literacy programme develops a range of skills built around communication, respect and assertiveness, for example in a specific programme called 'Stop Think Do'.  The boys are taught learning techniques to assist them to understand and communicate their preferences, ideas and beliefs.  They are also involved in peer leadership by teaching and leading cluster school students by organising debates and drama productions on selected themes.

 

It is significant  that the Federal Government has chosen this Salesian school for this important educational development.  The College would welcome enquiries about its programme even from outside the nation.  Contact can be by email: welcome@sjcftg.melb.catholic.edu.au