The Re-Engagement Program runs from 10.30am-12.30pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Alia College, 405 Tooronga Rd, Hawthorn East. Students can arrive at any time and stay as long as they like. If students wish to arrive earlier, or to stay later, this can be accommodated. At the moment we can accommodate up to eight students.

Enrolment in the program can involve more than contact during these specified times. Our space can be accessed and used throughout the day, and students are welcome to participate in regular school classes as they choose. We are always working towards students spending more time at school, with their peers in the classroom. However, a basic structure creates a goal and a routine that we can build on. We have to start somewhere.

Our first step is to meet with students for a short conversation about how the student is willing to participate in the program and to reach an understanding of where to begin.

Some students seem to benefit from a project-based learning approach, and build their confidence through the development of a personal project. Other students who prefer a different approach will be accommodated to the best of our ability. We have the luxury of flexibility.

Flexibility is important because anything or combination of things can be the reason a student comes back to school. Maybe it’s as simple as preferring a new teacher. Maybe they like the opportunity to build friendships across different year levels. Perhaps they prefer the smaller size. Maybe they just meet the right smiling new friend on their first day and keep coming back. Maybe it’s too complex to explain in a few words, except to say something here gives them a good feeling, or at least an absence of stress. The Re-Engagement Program at Alia College is about creating as many opportunities for good things to happen as possible.