If the boys from Orange’s Bowen Public School had their way Dianne Pelley is sure they would spend all their time in a former storage area now known as “the men’s shed”.

It is there they undertake activities such as woodwork and painting with volunteer mentors.

Mrs Pelley, the school’s assistant principal, said Bowen Public’s Men’s Shed program was established earlier this year to refocus disengaged boys.

It involves eight retired tradesmen, organised by original group instigator 80-year-old Ted Maxworthy, who act as mentors.

“The skills the boys are learning are skills for life and could possibly lead into future vocational areas,” Mrs Pelley said.

During the eight-week program the students – under Mrs Pelley’s supervision – create items such as wooden cars, trucks, key holders and cricket bats.

Mrs Pelley said the activities, such as measuring length, designing and listening to instruction, reinforced classroom learning and had proved so popular the program had been extended to all boys at the school.

The program has also inspired a spin-off girls’ group, called “designing divas”, which links older women in the community and Year 5 and 6 girls through activities such as sewing, handiwork and cooking.

Mrs Pelley said the volunteers benefited from the program.

“It’s been a way for the men to get to know our school and form really positive relationships with the boys,” she said.

Volunteer mentor Jim Watson said the project gave the men a way to “help young people and get them on the right track”.

Mr Watson, a retired welder, said the men enjoyed “graduation day” where they presented the boys with a cap at a school assembly to mark the completion of their eight-week session.

“The boys are so proud to stand up and receive their cap … the whole [project] is good for young people and for retired people to be involved with,” Mr Watson said.