The end of the school year is always a time for celebration but there were extra festivities this year to wrap up a successful year for the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Try Time! program and partner BHP Billiton Cannington.
The work of the Try Time! team and program partners Youth With A Mission (YWAM) was recognised at a visit last week to Thuringowa State High School, with the presentation of certificates of appreciation.
Grant Dale (Principal, Thuringowa State High School), Fiona Pelling (Cowboys),
Bruce Muller (Cowboys), John Cochrane (YWAM)
That evening, Try Time! coordinator Bruce Muller presented on the outcomes of the program at YWAM's Island Breeze event.
Since the program began in schools in June, the Try Time! team and program partners have delivered 159 workshops on positive life choices to over 7,500 year 8-9 students across the Townsville and Mount Isa regions.
Try Time! workshops cover eight topics focusing on current and relevant issues in youth culture, and empowering students to make positive and informed choices, rather than just 'going along with the crowd'.
The program addresses key social issues that can negatively impact on learning and students’ futures, including substance abuse, social media, active lifestyles, self image and self esteem, healthy eating and creating goals.
Delivered by Cowboys players and staff and a team of YWAM youth workers, the workshops are high-energy and designed to be fun and engaging while also challenging and thought-provoking.
Cowboys community relations manager Fiona Pelling says that the program's content and objectives have resonated with its participants.
"Try Time! has been incredibly well received by students and teachers alike. We survey all students at the end of each workshop and during 2014 received a 99% positive response rate from students," Ms Pelling said.
“Even more importantly though, we know from their written feedback that the program is really making a difference, empowering the students to make positive choices in their lives.
"Try Time! is a unique program partnership, and the Cowboys would not be able to deliver it without the support of YWAM and BHP Billiton Cannington.
“Its popularity is reflected in the 2015 bookings, with workshops scheduled for over 8,500 students with a target of 15,000 by the end of the school year.”
