SONGS and music cut across all boundaries and a concert being held in Mornington this month is being held to help young people take up education rather than crime.
Run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the RESET program helps students fit back into mainstream classes at Monterey Secondary College, Frankston.
Concert organisers say lyrics of the song Street Angel sung by Colleen Hewitt about the plight of street kids best expresses their thoughts: “The soul of our nation shines through the eyes of her children.”
The RESET – (Re-engaging Early Secondary Education and Training) – project is designed for 10 and 14 year olds living in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula who are disengaged from school and involved with crime.
Since late last year the program has been run in a stand-alone room in the college grounds.
While operating independently, the RESET students, who are enrolled at the college, participate in several school activities, including sport.
They are helped to develop interpersonal problem solving and other skills. One member of RESET’s team is a psychologist, whose work with the students includes cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
The program began in response to concerns by Victoria Police and schools that young people were likely to live a life of ongoing disadvantage and crime without appropriate help.
The college provides a part-time teacher’s aide and its staff help to facilitate the transition of young people from the RESET program into mainstream classes.
Money raised through the Mornington concert will help supply students involved in the RESET program with text books and stationary and pay for their transport.
The concert, A Christmas Cracker, is billed as featuring a bass, a baritone, a soprano and a pianist as well as three tenors.
Guest artist is Berlin-based tenor Michael Smallwood who returns to Melbourne for this month’s Melbourne Art and Song Collective at the Melbourne Recital Centre. Also on the bill is The Aspidistra Vocal Quartet, with tenors Richard Hobson and Adrian McEniery, baritone Michael Leighton Jones and bass Jerzy Kozlowski with Michael Fulcher.
The program is by MC Michael Leighton Jones and will also feature the Brotherhood’s own soprano Meredith Kerr.
A Christmas Cracker, 7.30pm 27 November
Mornington Peninsula Community Theatre, Wilsons Rd, Mornington (Melway 145 E2).
Tickets: $60 (concession $50) include tea, coffee and wine from Prancing Hill Estate at interval.
Bookings: mpearce@bsl.org.au or call 0407 145 552.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence can arrange transport from aged care homes and other venues.
