Learning from a safe place

Dandenong West Primary School students will learn and grow at school camp thanks to community support.
Thanks to $3000 from the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and $8800 from Dandenong Club, all families will be able to send their kids to camp this year.
Assistant Principal Daniel Frew said 84 students were booked in for the 24 to 28 April trip to Woorabinda Camp in Yallourn North.
“It is an education department camp, like Somers, and is run by teachers,” he said.
“Because of this the camp fees are a lot cheaper.
“We have been able to find funding for the buses through Ardoch Youth Foundation.
“Even with this sponsorship, camp will cost $200 per student.
“For most students this is way beyond their families’ means.
“Yet these children probably need camp more than the students in the more affluent areas.”
Mr Frew said the Dandenong West community was made up of about 40 different language groups and less than 10 per cent of the students spoke only English.
“Having a language background other than English can be hard for any family,” he said.
“However, many of our families are also from a refugee background or are asylum seekers.
“Even our families that have been in Australia for a few years still struggle financially.”
He said many families and students had experienced war, death, trauma and severe hardships “yet they remain happy, lovely children seeking all learning opportunities and appreciating everything”.
Mr Frew said the government provided some money for camps, excursions and sporting activities.
“Out of $125, excursions take up $40, sport $20, swimming about $65,” he said.
“Basically, the families choose between swimming and camp. Both are vital.
“Even if the $65 is used for camp, the residual amount is often too much for the families to pay.”
He said the school had about 140 students in Years 4 to 6.
“Last year, only 64 were able to go to camp,” he said.
“That meant that about 80 missed out, sometimes due to money and sometimes due to families not yet feeling safe enough and confident enough to send their child to camp.
“Going to camp teaches the students to get along with others, become more independent, to be organised, to accept challenges.
“Parents also learn a lot from allowing their children to go to camp.
“They must be able to trust the school and staff.
“After experiencing many forms of trauma, it is very difficult to allow others to care for your children.”
Mr Frew said that by supporting families to feel confident enough to send their children to camp, “the parents are learning that Australia is a safe place”.