St.Vincent's Education Centre 
is the key that can unlock the behavioural problems of the most disturbed students that your school is unable to cope with.
St.Vincent's Education Centre accepts students from 10 to 15 years of age whose experience of school and life has been particularly difficult. For most of these young people, this experience has led to emotional and social difficulties that range from mild to extreme, but are typically severe in impact upon the young person's concept of self,and on his ability to relate successfully to his family, his peers, his teachers and the community at large.
Profiles of these young people will often, though not always, reveal histories of abuse, neglect or desertion. Whatever an individuals situation, a common factor is the breakdown of family unity which has forced a need to seek alternatives.
Sadly,the factors which may accompany the lives of these children are failure in school, truancy, anger, depression, violence, breakdown of trust, multiple placements, living on the street, poor social development, rebellion and crime. It is not unusual, for example, for a boy to come to St.Vincent's after many previous placements have broken down, and to bring with him a significant criminal record.
The process of re-introducting the student to education is most important and begins as soon as he is enrolled at St.Vincent's. On the whole, it is behavioural disturbances which are the the biggest obstacle to successful learning, and these are addressed as a matter
of prioity. Intensive, therapeutic work is done with the student on anger management, alternative ways of thinking and behaving, social skills development and self esteem. In particular, St.Vincent's strives to build each student's self esteem through accomplishment, and not merely praise or reward. Thus Sr.Vincent's Education programs play a critical role in providing therapeutic input for all of its students, and this extends into all areas of the curriculum.
The work of St.Vincent's therefore, must bee seen in a context
of reaching out to the most needy and damaged children and youth of our timed. The programs provided are designed for growth in a student's personal development, self esteem and socialization. In this, reference may be made to the valuable work of sociologists such as W.M.Glasser and Michael Durrant
No student is rejected at St.Vincent's. While behavioural disturbances may at times be severe, each boy is practising better ways of relating and expressing, and is
Beam me up Scottie
I want to get back to the start