‘No dole for us, thanks’

YEAR 10 students at Pakenham Secondary College are looking forward to a bright future after pledging to stay off the dole.
The whole year level singed a charter last Thursday, pledging to be in full-time education, training or employment by the end of next March.
The charter signing was an important part of the school’s No Dole program, an initiative of the Beacon Foundation, which aims to break the cycle of welfare dependence.
It provides an important link between students and local businesspeople – on Thursday representatives from about 30 businesses in the area came along to witness the students signing the charter.
Pakenham Secondary College principal Ray Squires said the cohort should feel proud that there were many people from businesses in Pakenham who had given up their time to attend.
Pakenham Lakeside identity Jack Mitchell, a champion of the program, agreed that the support of businesses was pivotal to the success of the program and the students involved.
“One day when you leave you have the comfort of knowing you will be able to get work,” he told the students.
Di Padgett, executive officer of the Cardinia Foundation, a financial supporter of the program which is in its second year, said it was pleasing to see the students looking excitedly towards the future.
“From the foundation’s point of view, we not only feel proud but very privileged to be able to continue to support this program,” she said.
“Being here today has reinforced our commitment to be able to give more back to the local community.”
Mr Squires said the school worked on the premise that all students were deserving of a quality education and was optimistic that all students would be on the right path by the end of March.
“As a school, anything else is a failure,” he said. “We would feel that we failed you.”
Mr Squires emphasised the opportunities were endless for students, whether they wanted to enter the workforce or pursue further education.
“The world is your oyster,” he said.