2015
STUDENT
TESTIMONIALS
TESTIMONIALS
HUNTER N
My name is Hunter. I like Toogoolawa School because they help you to work on being a better person as well as helping with school work.
I like that the staff don't judge you and accept you for who you are. I love that we get to do sports most days because this helps me to feel free.
ADAM
At Toogoolawa the staff and students are nice to me. The staff deal with my mistakes fairly and kindly. This makes me feel good about myself. I like the way we learn and I like the different programs I can be involved in.
LACHLAN
I was very angry at my other schools. I would throw things at teachers. Toogoolawa has helped me to control my anger and feel happier as a person. I have been at Toogoolawa nearly a year and it has taught me how to read and spell correctly.
CONNOR
I like Toogoolawa School because they gave me another chance as I had no other school to go to.
I couldn't cope in mainstream schools because I just couldn't sit in the classroom all day and do class work. I need to be doing things with my hands. I have to be active.
I thank my teachers for what they have done for me. I feel like I am now a better human being as I have learnt not to get angry really quickly. I have also learnt to take responsibility for my actions and to control my swearing.
Now I find I can actually sit in a classroom and do work, which I could never do before, so I really believe that this school has been good for me and would be good for anyone.
ISAIAH
Before I came to Toogoolawa School, I had anger problems and I would always be in fights or hanging out late with my mates causing trouble and doing things I shouldn't have done. I have been kicked out of every school around where I live all because of my anger.
Toogoolawa School has given me a second chance. Not only that, but a chance to change who I am. They have helped me with my anger and ways to calm down when I have been all fired up.
I'm writing to say thank you to everyone who supports Toogoolawa School as well as thanks for the help I have received.
TREY
Since being at Toogoolawa School I have changed a lot. I even became School Captain.
I've caught up with my work and I did work experience and I really like it. I really enjoyed working at BCF.
At Toogoolawa School you go on outings every week. Usually my class went to the beach and we always had lots of fun.
Toogoolawa is the best school I have been to.
JARVAM
Before I attended Toogoolawa School I was stuffing up and fighting. I would throw stuff at teachers, swear at them and refuse to do my work.
Now I've gotten a bit better and I don't swear at the teachers anymore. I have learnt self-respect and these days I try to help the teachers out.
SPENSER
Hi,
I have been at Toogoolawa School for a year now and want to say thank you for all the people behind the scenes who support the school.
I would like to be here when we get the new classrooms - I think they are going to be awesome.
I really have appreciated the support I have received at Toogoolawa School and appreciate all the kindness shown towards me.
CONNAH
Hi,
To me, I think that Toogoolawa School was a second chance. Mainstream wouldn't have me and no-one would help me in mainstream.
Before coming to Toogoolawa, I struggled with my work because teachers wouldn't give me any one-on-one attention.
Since being at Toogoolawa I have improved in all of my work and I love it here because we have heaps of fun.
I thank the teachers for their support and all my classmates for the friendship.
KYLE
Hi,
I am 12 years of age and I have been suspended from every school I have gone to as well as being expelled from four schools.
Making the decision to attend Toogoolawa School was a great choice for me and I feel like I belong here.
I guess I really want to express my appreciation to all those who support Toogoolawa School.
COOPER
Hi,
I would like to express my appreciation to all the people who provide money and support to run Toogoolawa School.
I am very thankful for the time I have spent here and just wanted to say thank you.
BLAKE
Before coming to Toogoolawa School, I had been kicked out of 3 different high schools. Toogoolawa School to me means second chances.
Before coming to Toogoolawa School I used to have a bad temper, but now I don't really have one as I have developed more respect and self-control. If it wasn't for Toogoolawa School I would most likely be in trouble with the police and others.
TYLER
I started coming to Toogoolawa School in 2013. At my last school there were bullies so I had to come here for a break. I love Toogoolawa School because we get ham and cheese toasties at lunch time and we get to play bin ball and walk to the park. I like my new class because all the teachers are nice. I thank Toogoolawa School for giving me a chance..
ETHAN
Hi,
I attend Toogoolawa School. I came to this school because of stress and anxiety issues at my old school.
I am writing to say thank you to all our valuable supporters. Your generous support has blessed our school, our staff and our students.
DANTE
Before I came to Toogoolawa School I had bad anger issues and got kicked out of two other schools in five months. I believe that Toogoolawa School has helped me heaps and that it would also help anyone else who has trouble fitting into mainstream schools.
TANIN EDALATY
I was a Griffith Uni student who spent 6 months with Toogoolawa doing a Social Work placement.
As my time at Toogoolawa comes to an end, I have had enough time this week for closure for both myself and the staff and children in my class. I have had the opportunity to grow professionally and personally at Toogoolawa, and I believe that this placement has provided me with important and essential skills for future practice. During the beginning of placement I found myself struggling to find my role as a social worker within the school, however as my time has ended, I can confidently define my role and how essential a social work practitioner is at Toogoolawa. The last few months at Toogoolawa I have contributed to the school by providing in class support, one-on-one counselling and play therapy as well as project work. In return, the school has assisted me on expanding my knowledge about complex trauma, mental illness, and the role of youth work and social work in a school. I have also expanded on my skills of resilience, empathy, compassion and use of self-care. I have also been able to expand my knowledge of my own personal value system, as well as linking it to the AASW code of ethics and Toogoolawa's key principles.
When reflecting on myself and emotions, I feel a sense of sadness and loss. I believe that these feelings are part of any end to a placement or job, and I am able to recognise that I will feel better as time goes by, however the attachment that I have formed with the children and staff at Toogoolawa has been immense. In saying so, I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to have a role at Toogoolawa and have hopefully influenced the school in a positive way. In return I have received a great amount of comfort, kindness and love from every individual in the school which has made me feel like family. I am hoping to visit Toogoolawa in the future.
