Learning centre targets recidivist juvenile offenders

Recidivist juvenile offenders will be the target of a new program at Broome’s PCYC which aims to re-engage children who are involved in the justice system with school in what is believed to be the first of its kind in the State.

The PCYC Learning Centre will start working with seven youths aged 15 and 16 with teacher Andy Smyth and Aboriginal education officer Arnold Bin Bakar from Broome Senior High School permanently based at the facility on

Herbert Street.

Mr Smyth said the learning centre would allow the youngsters who had very low, if any, school attendance to be prepared for leaving school and to prevent them getting caught in the justice system.

“These are kids who have fallen through the cracks in the system and we want to be able to give them the help that they need,” he said.

“We’ve identified that it’s important to get these kids back out on to country and involved with their culture through a positive Aboriginal male role model.”

He said the youths would be taught practical life skills and important health lessons.

Police officers from the PCYC will also be involved in programs with the students and Broome Police officer in charge Sen. Sgt. Rob Neesham said he hoped having officers interacting with the youngsters in a positive way would help build relationships between the two.

Const. John Allanson from the PCYC said the kids would also be involved in physical activities including boxing training.

The centre was pushed for heavily by Sen. Sgt Neesham and outgoing high school principal Gary Downsborough, who said it was great to see the centre opening before he left Broome.

The centre was officially opened by Kimberley MP Carol Martin.

The learning centre is part of a partnership between the Education Department, Police and the PCYC and was made possible through $40,000 funding from Woodside.

Vice-president Nigel Grazier said Woodside recognised the importance of investing in the community and especially youth.