WEEK 7 YARRA TERM 3

Hi Everyone!!

This week we started off on wednesday the 24th of August where we met up once again with our friends down at Yarra Youth Services. Contrary to previous weeks we took part in a Hip Hop workshop with an Australian rapper called Ror. He helped to pass on his skills of rhythm and rhyme to our eager crew who were quick to create their own lyrics. We even got a little taste of presenting our music and recorded our voices to a track! Having positive outlets such as music can aid in creating a healthy mindset and allows our young people to explore different types of creative work opportunities. After smashing it in the studio we then ventured down to do some bowling in Keon Park! This, although mostly fun, also allows the young people to relieve stress in a healthy way whilst having a bit of banter along the way.

On Thursday the 25th we had another REACH workshop, letting our crew join in a very interactive and feeling focused day. They all agreed it was a very fruitful day where they understood the many aspects of their feelings and how you can impact others with your actions. This workshop takes the whole day and is a great learning experience for the young people involved. The facilitators aided in the large groups exploration of feelings while providing room for comfortability and a sense of safety amongst themselves.

On our final day of the week, we visited Sal, our boxing instructor! This day though beginning in a rather dull mood quickly picked up as Sal took us through a warm up and brought us to the ring. Going one on one with Sal the crew set forth to test their skills and understand the need for balance and control. This exercise lets the young people let loose and have their hand at a spar, whilst also providing a space for Sal to help them one on one. Keeping true to his moto of positive attitude Sal brought all members of the day's crew to a satisfying conclusion. Once completing our morning workout ;-) we ventured off to the city to experience rock climbing! This activity though daunting was faced head on by all members of the crew, someone picking it up like a fish to water! Now rock climbing requires two people within the environment we were in, creating a need for a sense of trust, teamwork and loyalty between the two. With the doubles chosen by the crew themselves they set off and switched roles from climbers to belayers. Each young person got an opportunity to climb whilst being supported by their partner on the ground floor who was responsible for helping the climber if they fell or decided to come down. At the end it was an exciting week filled with many life lessons and skills we are sure the crew is keen to develop.

!NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY STUDENT REVIEW!

!THIS WEEK IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY CHRISTIAN!

How was REACHE’S teaching environment? What did they teach you?

“BEING COMFORTABLE WITH SHARING YOUR EMOTIONS AND KNOWING HOW YOU FEEL, NOT BEING PRESSURED TO OR PRESSURING ANYONE, TO TALK ABOUT STUFF LIKE THAT. TO REALISE THAT EVERYONE GOES THROUGH STUFF AND YOU’RE NOT ALONE”

Would you attend any of their other workshops? Would you recommend REACH to a friend?

“THEY MENTIONED A CAMP BUT I PROBABLY WOULDN’T GO, JUST PREFER NOT TO. IF I FELT IT WAS RIGHT FOR THEM BUT I WOULDN’T JUST TELL THEM ABOUT IT”

What was hard about rock climbing? What was an achievement?

“TRUSTING ISHMAEL, I DON’T KNOW HIM WELL, HAVEN’T HAD TO TRUST HIM FOR ANYTHING BEFORE. JUST THAT I’M NOT AFRAID ANYMORE, NOT DROPPING. I HAVEN’T REALLY BEEN THAT SCARED BUT LIKE IT WAS THERE. “

What was a positive motive that got you through the day?

“I’VE DONE THIS BEFORE, IT’S NOT THAT BAD”