IN a first for the region, Penola High School has joined forces with Nangwarry and Kalangadoo primary schools to further develop relationships and educational resources.
Students from the three schools worked in collaboration to identify community issues and develop solutions in what is hoped to be a sustained educational effort.
Among the issues raised was changing school hours, gaming addiction in children and getting kids more active after school.
The students worked closely to resolve the issues, including building a prototype.
Penola High School teacher Kathleen Phillips said the project was a success.
“There is a great benefit for the students across the board to be involved in a program like this,” Ms Phillips said.
“The students in the two primary schools are able to transition into high school smoother.
“When they come to us they will not feel as scared because they will be familiar with the facilities we have here.”
Ms Phillips said the students were also more inclusive, working alongside students from other schools.
“They are more collaborative and it is fantastic for staff to work together as well because it does not happen very often,” she said.
Students presented their solutions to local issues at Kalangadoo Institute in September in an effort to increase their public speaking skills.
Friends, family and community members gathered at the hall to hear students’ creative solutions, showcased through speeches and visual displays.
The project is hoped to be the start of a long-term tripartite friendship between schools, with Ms Phillips saying there was hope for the same project in the future.
