The education support students have been working in the community for the past year for Coastcare and are now continuing their work in school.

Teacher Graeme Dixon said it was a time consuming process getting together the funds and materials to build the workshop but that there was a lot of community support for the project.

“People were willing enough to give us money once they understood the nature of the project,” Mr Dixon said.

The project started after college teachers found there was a niche for students who excelled in practical activities outside the traditional classroom.

He said it reengaged a large proportion of students back into learning after many had “given up”.

The students are now work in their own vegetable gardens, sustain their own worm farm and in the workshop.

“It really gives them a sense of pride and ownership.”

They can also learn units in horticulture and plant production systems.

“It’s a great way to teach them about things like reticulation and what plants need to grown,” Mr Dixon said.

“They are also learning about the different types of plants.”

Other schools are now looking at similar programs.