Schools Programs and Workshops

Shire Salvos along with Salvos Schools NSW and ACT provides educational workshops and opportunities for school students to engage, learn and make a difference in their local community. Aligned with their curriculum, the following programs will engage students and school communities in social justice education and introduce service-learning with The Salvation Army.

Positive Lifestyle Program (PLP) for High Schools

The PLP for High Schools program is free and an opportunity for Shire Salvos to support young people to thrive at school and in life. It is a personal development program for teenagers. It is designed to be run in small group settings in high schools.

PLP – for High Schools is based on the Positive Lifestyle Program, a resource that has
been used for over 30 years in Australia to aid people’s personal development.

The material uses activity-based learning and reflective pedagogy to help young people
grow their self-awareness and develop life skills.

Hope Internship Program

The Salvation Army Hope Internship Program is an initiative designed for students who are passionate about social justice and making a difference in the community. The program will strive to teach students the skills needed to be innovative, strategic and influential leaders, now and in the future.

About the program

The Hope Internship Program is a year long learning and engagement opportunity for student, where they will be inspired and educated by experts in personal finance, community engagement, fundraising, marketing, business, government, and advocacy, in a supportive, safe and inclusive environment.

Participants – called Hope Interns – will participate in regular face-to-face or online workshops and will work on community engagement, fundraising and advocacy projects throughout the year, supported by a network of professionals from the Salvos and the local community.

On completing the program, Hope Interns will showcase their achievements and celebrate with their families, friends, and school community at an end-of-year celebration.

They will also receive a Certificate of Completion and be formally acknowledged for their leadership and contribution to local community, by the local community.

You're the Boss (Financial Education)

Manage your money like a pro

How many of us were taught how to manage our money? How many can have a discussion about money when things get tight? Surprisingly few.

The Salvation Army, You’re the Boss, is an award-winning financial-skill-building program, where you can swap the pain of financial uncertainty for the peace and confidence that understanding brings.

Change your behaviours around money and you change your life.

Empowered with information, skills and know-how, you’ll be able to spot danger signs and avoid crises before they arise, getting the most out of every resource.

Nowhere to live

An immersive workshop focused on learning how people navigate experiencing homelessness, the challenges they face, and how they can be supported. Students will hear real life stories and participate in a range of activities help them understand firsthand, the challenges of people experiencing homelessness in Australia.

This workshop can also be run for teachers, for school development or staff formation days.

Level: Secondary (Year 8 and above)

Poverty and inequality

This workshop explores experiences of poverty in Australia and considers the drivers of inequality. An interactive budgeting activity stimulates discussion about hardship and the cycle of poverty. Students learn about the work of The Salvation Army to interrupt this cycle and are encouraged to apply a justice lens and act compassionately.

Level: Secondary (Year 9 and above)

ABCD – Economy in the classroom

In this interactive simulation activity, the classroom becomes representative of society and income inequality in Australia. Each student follows the life and ﬁnancial position of someone over a three-month period. Students consider the factors that inﬂuence an individual’s ﬁnancial situation and ability to secure housing and everyday necessities. We conclude by exploring the impact of social support and how young people can contribute to a more equitable society.

Level: Secondary (Year 8 and above)

Community and caring

This primary school program introduces The Salvation Army and encourages young people to recognise their social impact. Using a range of fun activities and videos, students explore the concept of ‘caring’ and the ways that children and young people can positively support their communities and contribute to social change.

This workshop has an additional option for a Caring in the Community Activity (CICA), which can be incorporated into the program.

Level: Primary (Years 4-6)

Breakfast Packs for a Cause

Shire Salvos invites local schools to partner with us and participate in our Breakfast Packs initiative. This program not only supports those in need but also engages your students in a hands-on, community-driven project. Here's how it works;

Food Drive Your school runs a collection for items to include in the packs:

Long-life milk poppers
Breakfast cereal share packs
Fruit poppers
Muesli bars
Spoons

Pack & Connect: On a designated day, our team visits your school, and the students helps pack the breakfast packs into provided paper bags.

A Personal Touch: Students can write heartfelt cards to include in the packs for the recipients.

Learning Opportunity: We provide a brief overview of where the hampers will go and the work the Salvos do in the community.