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FAQ’s for Teachers
- How is the SYA program structured?
- What does the program cover?
- How long does the program last?
- How many students can participate?
- How much does it cost?
- Is there any preparation involved?
- Where can I find additional information and resources?
- How do I register for this program?
- How can my school become more involved in the local community?
- Does a SYA Silver Community Project have to relate to Disability?
Q. How is the SYA program structured?
A. There are two certificate programs associated with Scope Young Ambassadors;
- SYA Bronze certificate
- SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate
The SYA Bronze Certificate is a dynamic, flexible and competency-based applied learning program that is facilitated in schools by trained Scope Community Educators, one of whom has a disability.
The SYA Silver Certificate is designed to further develop young people’s leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. Young participants in the program can spend time with people with a disability, actively participating in their local community in health and wellbeing activities.
Q. What does the program cover?
A. The SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate is designed to encourage young people to create and/or participate in a diverse range of activities to promote social issues of harmony and requires them to work in partnership with others.
The program facilitates participants in:
- fostering civic responsibility
- meeting new people in their local community
- achieving a feeling of self-worth
- enhancing communication, teamwork and leadership skills
- encouraging young people into a commitment to volunteering
- consciously contributing to making an improved difference in their society.
The SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate is mapped to VCAL Personal Development units (Senior) and SEDA’s Certificate III and IV in Sports and Recreation.
Q. How long does the program last?
A. The length of the SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate can widely vary according to the timetable of the young people participating. This will be negotiated in the project set-up meeting with school staff, students, leisure group representative and SYA Silver Community Educator.
Q. How many students can participate?
A. Individual or groups of students can participate in a SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate. The size of the leisure activity and its number of participants will have some bearing on the number of students who can be involved in a volunteer capacity. This will be negotiated in the project set-up meeting with school staff, students, leisure group representative and SYA Silver Community Educator.
A. The costing of the SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate can vary depending on whether the project requires a SYA Silver Community Educator to assist in the management of the project.
There are three costing options for the SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate:
1. This option is used for more complex and/or longer projects. The SYA Community Educator is vital to the success of these community projects. They will be responsible for:
- facilitating, managing and maintaining the partnerships between all stakeholders
- inducting the students into the project
- coordinating media opportunities
- assisting in the promotion of the project and associated events to the wider community
- chairing the evaluation process
SYA will be responsible for the overall running of the program and ensuring the program’s ongoing success.
The cost for the SYA Silver Project Option 1 is $50 per student (this will include full access to the My Silver Project website for information and additional resource material)
2. The SYA Silver Community Educator will assist school staff with the initial set-up of the Silver Project and induct the students into the project. The overall responsibility of implementing the program and ensuring its viability/success will be with the school staff.
The cost for the SYA Silver Project Option 2 is $150 per group (this will include full access to the My Silver Project website for information and additional resource material).
3. This option is largely used by regional schools. The SYA Community Educator will have no involvement in the running of the project.
The cost for the SYA Silver Project Option 3 is $75 per project (this will include full access to the My Silver Project website for information and additional resource material).
Q. Is there any preparation involved?
A. Students must complete the Bronze certificate before progressing onto the Silver certificate. Find out more about how students can participate in the SYA Bronze Certificate.
Q. Where can I find additional information and resources?
A. Once a school has registered for a SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate, staff and students will have full access to the My Silver Project webpage which has additional information and resources via a secure access code.
Q. How do I register for this program?
A. To register for a SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate please contact: Emily Buxton-D’Arcy, Community Educator, Mob: 0457 603 961, Email: ebuxtondarcy@scopevic.org.au or Charlie Spendlove, Education Manager, Tel: 03 9843 2052, Mobile: 0457 754878 or Email: cspendlove@scopevic.org.au
Q. How can my school become more involved in the local community?
A. There are many ways your school can become more involved in the local community. Here are some ideas that may lead to establishing a SYA Silver “Community Project” certificate project:
- Students can contact Scope Young Ambassadors to see what recreational and leisure activities are running for people with a disability in their local community.
- Students can contact their local council to see if it requires volunteers for special events.
- Students can contact their local Aged Care or Childcare service to see if it requires volunteers.
- Similarly, students can develop a partnership with their local Developmental School to engage with students with a disability in a ‘peer’ project.
- Students can conduct a survey of their local shopping precinct to ascertain what improvements could be made to make the area more accessible for local residents.
Q. Does a SYA Silver Community Project have to relate to Disability?
A. No. The projects and partnerships young participants create do not necessarily have to relate to Disability. We have established partnerships with the CFA, Red Cross, Duke of Ed. etc. so other organisations can be involved. Scope Young Ambassadors however, will be there throughout the entire project as a resource of information, as a facilitator, to assist the young participants to connect with their chosen community groups/organisations and to assist in the implementation and evaluation of the project.
