Students have been very busy in the Life Skills and Community Access Program. Participation has been in work skill develop programs at the Tasmanian Arboretum. It has also involved the assistance of volunteers, harvesting produce at the Devonport Community Gardens. Highlights have been pingo at the Devonport Community House and learning cabochon skills at the Devonport Lapidary club.

The TJ kitchen is the place to be on Wednesdays as students prepare and serve meals, giving them the opportunity to hone their skills in the kitchen in preparation for independent learning and work opportunities when they leave Don College. Raymond brings considerable knowledge in the area of technology and students have had the unique opportunity to learn to code using Python and building programable Lego Robots. The confidence students have developed using unfamiliar technology has allowed them to more effectively interact in their interest areas of strength.

Craig’s maths class has been examining money, savings, budgeting and currently working on a three-week menu. They will then grow giant sunflowers, build a parachute, make rockets and investigate how time and angles can be used to accurately measure their heights from the ground.

Improvement in the weather has allowed students to enjoy fishing, walking, mountain bike riding and orienteering. Community productions have allowed students to develop social skills and cooperate as a group.

There are several students who enjoy volunteer work outside of school. James is a volunteer firefighter and Ryan often helps at the Don River Railway.

All of our students have made significant progress this year, and their learning accomplishments reflect outstanding levels of initiative and resiliency.