A personal development program is helping seven eastern suburb students take a more positive approach to their school life.

Operation Newstart Eastern, which began last month, is aimed at students deemed to be at educational risk.

Organisers say it has already made a difference in the lives of the seven youngsters.

Last week, they took part in an African drumming class and an adventure camp with climbing, abseiling and canoeing.

Outer-eastern suburbs resident Nelson said he enjoyed the chance to meet new people he might otherwise have dismissed.

"If I met some of these people outside this program I wouldn't have talked to them. I've learned not to judge people. If you are judging someone, you can just think it and not say it."

Nelson said the program was challenging, but he knew he needed to learn everything he could from it or his life could end up "nowhere".

He signed up for it because of problems at school and trust issues.

Despite being in the program for about a month, he occasionally still gets in trouble at school.

He admitted to having a bad week last week when he was unable to sit still in class. Asked to leave the room by his teacher, he became angry.

He now realises he could have handled the situation differently.

"I'm doing the best I can. A lot of people have changed for the better because of this program."

Leading Senior Constable Sandy McIver said the students were beginning to work out their social and behavioural boundaries within the program.

Mitcham Core Salvation Army youth outreach worker Steve Zollia said the African drumming classes helped the youngsters develop skills and improve their self-esteem.

Every second Tuesday, students also prepare breakfast before the classes. Some make the food, while others set the table and they all discuss their experiences at school the day before.