13 Sep 2019
By Francis Floresca
Punchbowl Boys’ High School’s push towards future-focused learning has taken a massive leap forward with the launch of their TAFE-backed carpentry program.
Operating under TAFE’s Youth Engagement Strategy (YES), Year 10 students are trained by veteran tradesman and teacher Richard Bailey every Wednesday in the school’s multi-million dollar trade centre.
“We understand that these students are not able to make it to TAFE due to their school commitments so we bring TAFE to them,” said Bailey, who has been mentoring students since 1991.
Acting Principal Robert Patruno has put his stamp of approval on Bailey’s work with the boys.
“We are thankful for him, not just for his willingness to share his industry knowledge,” said Patruno. “But for his wonderful ability to engage students.”
Teacher Nazih Elmasri was ecstatic about program’s focus on getting students ready for the future.
“It helps them understand how the real workplace works through practical jobs,” noted Elmasri. “It teaches them a lot of joinery skills that’ll help them succeed in the industry.”
Speaking about student response to the program, Elmasri claims that all participants have risen up to the challenge that the fast-paced course entails.
“They aim to finish an entire project in a day every week. It helps them appreciate the pace of learning at TAFE. Everything they finish, they take home. With that in mind, they learnt to up their skills quickly and work fast,” explained Elmasri.
Quizzed about the impact of the new trade centre on his job as a teacher, Elmasri responded with much gusto.
“It’s been really useful. It’s a multimillion-dollar investment. It helps students develop important skills such as precision cutting at an early age. It works out perfectly for the boys,” he said spiritedly.
Technology and Applied Studies Head Teacher Ronald Esau had only positive words about the instant benefits of the new trade centre on the teaching and learning at the school.
“It opens up more avenues for us as a faculty to teach our subjects more efficiently,” affirmed Esau, who has taught woodwork and metalwork at the school for over a decade.
Esau, pleased with the course’s progress, credits its tremendous success and popularity to the fact that it puts students in situations they will have to traverse in the future.
“It helps them be more aware of what happens at the tertiary level,” explained Esau. “The participation has been tremendous. The word of mouth has inspired other kids to ask about the course.”
Deputy Principal for Wellbeing Aziz Elbeb echoed Elmasri and Esau’s sentiments about the program’s multifold benefits.
“It’s a great method of engagement. It’s a way of making sure that they are engaging with something positive. It links them to future career paths,” Elbeb articulated with passion. “They get to see what the trade is like and see if it’s something they are interested in.”
Elbeb, who has been at the forefront of the school’s transition towards a more future-focused curriculum, along with Deputy Principal for Curriculum James Cooper and Acting Principal Robert Patruno, could not stop praising the carpentry program’s project-based disposition.
“They get to take something tangible at the end of every day. They get to actually see their hard work coming to fruition,” he said.
Questioned about the value of the school’s new trade centre, Elbeb was quick to point out that it was a testament to Punchbowl Boys’ unwavering commitment to developing global citizens equipped with 21st century skills.
“The trade centre gave us another flexible learning space with state-of-the-art facilities like TAFE has,” Elbeb responded with enthusiasm.
“It allows students to use the latest equipment and newest machines. They get to be in a real professional environment that promotes workplace safety and which rewards them with real world experiences,” he added.
Ismail Elali, one of the program’s keenest pupils, says the program has given him more “options” as he transitions towards senior study.
“It equipped me with skills I’ll need if I ever want to become a carpenter,” said Elali, who is dedicated to diversifying his skills.
For Austin Leo Fanovaha, the carpentry program is a microcosm of where he wants to be after school.
“I want to be a carpenter,” he said matter-of-factly. “Having this program at school has given me a solid foundation for later in life.”