Wellard Village Primary School is proud to be one of three schools in Western Australia selected to become a Hands on Learning (HoL) Demonstration School in 2025, alongside Neerigen Brook Primary School and Kelmscott Senior High School. Hands on Learning is an innovative education program that fosters engagement, belonging, and practical skill development through hands-on activities. It is has been running in the Eastern States for over 25 years in both High School and Primary School settings. 9 staff members from all three WA schools attended the Hands on Learning conference and training in Melbourne at the end of 2024 to learn about the principles behind HoL and to tour a range of schools successfully running the program. At Wellard Village PS, Hands on Learning has been implemented as a Tier 2 intervention option for students who would benefit from increased engagement in learning, improved attendance, or opportunities to develop social skills and leadership. We have chosen to offer both the Café and Build programs, which are now in their third week. Under the guidance of Artisan Teachers Brendon and Lola, students are thriving in a hands-on, collaborative environment. So far, they have been baking muffins and preparing sandwiches for the freezer to support students in need, as well as establishing a Kitchen Garden and crafting a Hands on Learning sign to represent the ‘A Place to Belong’ pillar of the HoL philosophy. It has been inspiring to see students flourish in this engaging setting, building confidence, teamwork, and practical life skills. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of HoL at Wellard Village PS! For more information about Hands on Learning, visit the website at: Hands on Learning – Learning by doing and student wellbeing