Troubled Mackay teens given second chance

New PCYC program gives high school students a chance to turn their suspensions into something positive

PCYC Mackay youth support officer Kim Presland with youth club manager Sergeant Kelsie Henderson. Picture: Heidi Petith

TROUBLED Mackay teenagers on suspension from high school are being given a second chance.

A new program run by the Police and Citizens Youth Club is allowing suspended students to come into the centre for work experience rather than sit at home.

PCYC youth club manager Sergeant Kelsie Henderson said the Positive Alternative to Student Suspension program was inspired by wanting to the teenagers make better choices.

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Sgt Henderson said the PASS program received referrals from the region's largest high schools and worked together with the students' parents.

"We try and give them jobs that will give them some skills," she said.

"We've got boys coming in next week who are going to work with a bike mechanic on the bikes."

PCYC youth support officer Kim Presland said the program was also about working out why the suspensions had occurred in the first place.

"We work with them and why it is they're not happy," Ms Presland said.

"It's all about trying to get the kids to re-engage … have a positive reason to go back to school."

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She said students who completed the program also received a volunteer certificate that could be used on their resumes.

The students could also return for further support over the school holidays should they need it, she said.