Green thumbs of Peel students hone workplace skills

Head teacher of special programs Keya Stevenson said event was run by the school's Stage Five class, which is specifically designed for Year 9 and 10 boys who have identified that school and academia isn't for them.

"It's a program to give them the skills they'll need to transition in to the workforce," Ms Stevenson said.

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"This day was designed by the students to develop the skills that will make them workplace ready."

The EcoFest was attended by 150 primary school students from Peel High's feeder schools. They took part in lessons on Indigenous language, bush tucker, beekeeping, erosion, building native wildlife boxes and planting trees.

Ms Stevenson said the Peel students performed wonderfully and the day went without a hitch.

"They had to do everything - the concept, the budget, contacting the primary schools, getting the supplies and running the day," she said.

"It was definitely challenging, but they rose to the occasion well. I think they're feeling quite proud of themselves now.

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"They were confident and spoke well - that's a real feather in their cap. To confidently speak in a public setting is a massive workplace skill and they managed to hit that target."

Peel is the only school in the state to run a program like Stage Five. Ms Stevenson said there had already been some "pleasing data" to come out of its first year, and it's already been renewed for another two years.

"For each of the 16 student in the class, attendance has risen, negative behaviour incidents have dropped and in-class engagement has increased," she said.

"For our Year 10 students, some have been offered full-time work, while others chosen to continue on to HSC."