if students have become fully disengaged they will either exit prematurely, or remain disaffected and derive minimal benefit from their time there. Thus the program attempts to identify and recruit disengaging students before negative attitudes and behaviours become entrenched. Students are reported to remain, on average, two years in the program on a voluntary basis. Work outside the square This phrase refers to the fact that students come out of their normal classes one day per week as a 'release valve' into a small group of students with two adults — a teacher:student ratio of 2:10. These small groups are intended to provide an opportunity for students to form strong relationships and an alternate peer group, providing a sense of belonging. Don't just talk, do! HOL assumes that many of their target cohort of students will feel uncomfortable or stigmatised in seeking out student welfare personnel, or lack either the capacity or disposition to explore their issues verbally. In giving these students practical, inherently purposeful tasks to take part in, it is believed that they will be able to form supportive relationships that will help build a sense of wellbeing without necessarily engaging in discussion about issues they may be facing. Community projects The HOL program has been involved in numerous community based projects since its inception. Examples include the construction of board walks, foot bridges, renovation of community buildings, repairs to public park infrastructure etc. HOL LiNK In 2008 the HOL model was used as the basis for a pilot Literacy and Numeracy Knowledge program called HOL LiNK. The HOL LiNK program was an extension to an existing HOL program at Carrum Downs Secondary College. Somewhat unusually, the HOL LiNK program was expressly implemented as a non-remedial setting, working instead to help students avail themselves of incidental learning opportunities and to improve their strategies for coping in traditional classrooms. HOL SaFE In 2009 Hands On Learning Australia entered into a pilot partnership with Berry Street and Anglicare Victoria to form a School and Family Engagement project (HOL SaFE) at two Victorian Government Secondary Colleges. The HOL SaFE project consisted of bringing a Youth & Family Worker from the partnering agency into a HOL program within a school. By working directly with disadvantaged students within the context of HOL, the Youth & Family Worker could form much stronger relationships over a longer period of time, thereby enhancing their capacity to