A program run by John Pirie Secondary School yesterday caught the eye of educators from interstate.

Victorian delegates, including regional directors, executive officers and regional network leaders, visited the school to gain an understanding of the Flexible Learning Initiatives Programs or FLIPs.

Some of the ideas may end up in schools in our neighbouring State.

In fact, the visitors were intrigued to see snakes and other reptiles being used to “engage” the students.

At the presentation to the

delegates yesterday morning, local coordinator Bruce Mules said that the program offered opportunities to students who, for whatever reason, cannot handle mainstream classes.

“FLIPs is seen as a lighthouse program and is a way to recognise that students will not always fit into mainstream classes,” he said.

“It is not just for children who cause trouble – some students, especially as they progress through high school, have specific ideas of where they want to go and they cannot chase that without a little extra help.”

Margaret Stewart is the education partnerships coordinator with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Services in The Grampians region of Victoria, and organised the tour to Port Pirie.

Mrs Stewart first read about FLIPs when she was searching for alternative methods of teaching for students with more requirements. The fact that the program offers round-the-clock help is what appealed to her.

“With other alternative teaching programs, you can take a child away from class for a few weeks, but when they return to their class, the problems adapting to the work inevitably return,” she said.

“What attracted me to FLIPs was that it is a constant thing – students get involved with programs that stick for the semester, the year or throughout their high school experience.”

FLIPs began as an idea from former principal Joanne Weckert, who submitted the proposal to the education department and began the program out of the school’s own budget.