As part of the University of Melbourne’s Going Rural Health initiative, the students are placed in high-demand schools, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, workplaces and retirement homes.
Monash University students Jacinta Chan, 21, and Jameson Stewart, 22, are completing placements in occupational therapy at Mooroopna Primary School and Mooroopna North Primary School.
Following previous placements in hospitals, the pair are relishing the opportunity to work in a primary school environment.
“It might be working out why children are having time off school, why they are lacking some skills and whether occupational therapy can help,” Ms Chan said.
The Mooroopna schools represent some of the most disadvantaged communities across Greater Shepparton; Shepparton’s Education Plan depicts the area as being “most at risk of vulnerability”.
Shepparton’s Education Plan was developed to combat the high levels of disadvantage in the region, delivering initiatives across four stages in the region: early years, primary education, secondary education and tertiary education and skills.
Ms Chan said after three weeks at the school, she and Mr Stewart were at the stage of identifying children they could help, and were working with teachers and the students’ families to develop therapies.
These may include helping students develop fine motor skills and hand-eye co-ordination or learning positive behaviours to manage frustration or anger.
“Practice makes perfect and being able to work with the staff and these kids — it’s invaluable,” Mr Stewart said.
The Going Rural Health initiative is funded by the Australian Government and open to all universities to provide clinical experience for aspiring nursing and allied health professionals.
This initiative is also placing University of Melbourne audiology students in Mooroopna schools, kindergartens and the new Mooroopna Family and Children’s Centre co-located at Mooroopna Primary School.
“Apart from the direct benefits to children and families in the early screening of students for any issues of concern, the university students are developing the skills of our teachers and education support staff,” Mooroopna Primary School acting principal Carla May said.
“With the occupational therapists, our staff are able to see how they build children’s fine motor and gross motor skills and help their social and emotional development.”
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