Springside P-9 College students have breathed new life into an old Z-class tram as part of an innovative education program.
Year 7, 8 and 9 students at the Caroline Springs school have been refurbishing the tram to turn it into a student-run cafe as part of the Hands On Learning program.
Program co-ordinator Lisa Vagg said the program ran at Springside P-9, Creekside and Brookside colleges and aimed at changing the way students felt about school.
“It’s all about keeping them engaged in learning,” Ms Vagg said.
“Kids learn differently so it’s great to build on their strengths and give them the opportunity to gain skills outside the classroom in building and hospitality.”
At Springside, one crew of students has been building the tram cafe while another has been running The Next Stop Cafe out of the school’s home-economics room.
The Next Stop Cafe operates at recess
and lunchtimes on Friday for students and teachers. It will start operating from the tram early next year.
The Hands On Learning program, supported
by Save the Children, recently earned international recognition after it was named in Finland’s Global 100 list of the most
inspiring education innovations from across the world.
“The program was recognised for its innovativeness, impact and scalability, with the listing noting that Hands on Learning is about being brave enough to try something that isn’t traditional schooling for at least one day per week,” Ms Vagg said.
