YOUTH MENTORS FROM MINDARIE ROTARY CLUB TURN PEACEMAKERS AFTER SCHOOLS CLASH

STUDENTS from Clarkson Community High School visited Kinross College on Tuesday to try to encourage positive interaction between the two schools.

The visit was organised by the Mindarie Rotary Club after a group of [two] Clarkson students entered Kinross College grounds on May 21 to continue a feud with a Kinross student. Club spokesman Geoff Newby-Butt said the four students were part of the club’s Rypen youth mentoring program. “We wanted to show people some of the positive things that the kids are doing,” he said. “The kids are fantastic. I think if we can have these kinds of positive interactions we can help prevent trouble in the future.”

Mr Newby-Butt said the Rypen program aimed to help young people with leadership skills and community spirit reach their potential and become role models for their peers.

Clarkson Community High School principal John Young said partnerships with community organisations were important.

“Our staff are working hard to help all students achieve their best at school by finding the appropriate education and training pathway, and we have a range of good initiatives in place both in school and in partnership with organisations,” he said.

Article courtesy of the North Coast Weekender community newspaper.