TERM 22013
OUR CATHOLICSCHOOLSDIOCESE OF TOWNSVILLEABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EDUCATION
TOWNSVILLE CATHOLIC EDUCATION OFFICE | 2 GARDENIA AVENUE, KIRWAN QLD 4817T. 4773 0900 F. 4773 0901 E. [email protected] www.tsv.catholic.edu.au
Follow TCEO Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education on Facebook
Follow Townsville Catholic Education
2 ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EDUCATION TERM 2, 2013
includingFOR A RANGE OF ACTIVITIESTraditional Arts from Zaro Cultural Gallery, plus Food & Dance
9 . 3 0 a m T H U R S D A Y1 A U G U S T 2 0 1 3
joined byCASEY DONOVAN
THE LAST KINECTION & SEAN CHOOLBURRA
$5entry
I N P A R T N E R S H I P W I T H T H E
WARRGAMAY TRADITIONAL OWNERS
Celebrations 2013
6TH AbORIgINAL AND TORRES ST ISLANDER EDUCATION CONFERENCE 2013A group of 29 delegates from across the Townsville Diocese attended the 6th Aboriginal and Torres St Islander Catholic Education Conference in Cairns, 24th-26th May.
The theme, “Heart, Mind and Spirit – Continuing our Journey” aimed to build on the successes and achievements of previous conferences. The conference theme reflected the journey of sharing across all five Dioceses. Central to the conference was the cross which brings us together in heart, mind and spirit.
Keynote speakers included: Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann, renowned artist and Elder from Daly River; Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney, University of Adelaide; Waverley Stanley, Founding Director of Yalari Limited; and Peter Sabatino, educator and conference founding member.
Townsville Catholic Education staff presented at the Conference: Jennifer Wills, Senior Education Officer Indigenous Education presented on Effective Literacy pedagogy for Indigenous students, with case study at St Michael’s Palm Island. Mr Noel Curran, Indigenous Education Officer presented on the Australian Curriculum Cross Curriculum Priority (CCP): Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Histories & Cultures.
Many thanks to Cairns diocese for all the hard work put into organising such a great event! All delegates spoke highly of the conference, taking many ideas back to their schools to further enhance the great work already being done in Indigenous Education across our Diocese.
THIS SECTION OF THE OUR CATHOLIC SCHOOLS MAGAZINE IS DELIBERATELY DESIGNED AS A HIGHLIGHT FEATURE TO CELEBRATE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EDUCATION ACROSS OUR DIOCESE.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
Students, families and community – for photos and news from our Townsville Catholic Education Indigenous Education events, please see our new facebook page www.facebook.com/TCEOIndigenouseducation
Townsville Catholic Education acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to the Elders past, present and future.
WELCOMEAnother busy term is now behind us with many wonderful stories and achievements to share in this edition of “Our Catholic Schools”.
Our Indigenous education team once again staged the Careers Day at James Cook University with students attending from most of our Catholic secondary colleges. The day was a great success, with 20 organisations on hand to talk to students about career opportunities in their industries. Thank you to our team for making this day a great experience for all.
Congratulations to our students involved in the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP). The IYLP identifies potential student leaders and provides them with the opportunity and financial support to participate in a program that will cultivate and nurture their leadership potential and skills. We look forward to sharing in their journey.
Our schools are now preparing to celebrate and embrace NAIDOC Week as an opportunity to educate all students about the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Various cultural celebrations and events will be taking place in partnership with community throughout the Diocese and we look forward to sharing in many of these events.
Congratulations to St Michael’s School on the official opening of The Reg and Mena Barry Lighthouse Learning Centre and the Bill Coolburra Multipurpose Sporting Complex. Bishop Michael blessed these new
buildings during Term 2. These buildings have been dedicated to three inspirational leaders and elders of the Palm Island Catholic Community who in turn dedicated a great deal of their own lives to St Michael’s School.
Congratulations also to St Teresa’s College on the release of their latest “Gowrie Boys” youtube filmclip, the fourth in the highly acclaimed series. You can check out “Tomorrow’s Heroes” via http://youtube/tU1rFWOJ_E4
My heartfelt thanks is extended to the staff, students and families of our Indigenous students; your presence within our wider Catholic family enriches us.
God Bless
ERNIE CHRISTIEASSISTANT DIRECTOR - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, CURRICULUM, ICT & INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
TERM 2, 2013
AbERgOWRIE’S 80TH ANNIVERSARy80th Anniversary celebrations will take place Friday 23 – Sunday 25 August, 2013 – for more information please visit www.abergowrie.catholic.edu.au
TERM 2, 2013
3
SCHOOLNEWS
CAREERS DAy AT JCUThe Townsville Catholic Education Indigenous Education team staged a Careers Day at James Cook University’s School for Indigenous Australian Studies on Wednesday 5th June.
Students from seven Catholic secondary colleges participated in the event, attending information sessions and visiting the participating organisations on display to explore potential career opportunities. Exhibitors included James Cook University, Skills 360 Australia Apprenticeships Services, Townsville Enterprise, Townsville City Council, Queensland Police, Rural Skills Australia, Defence Force Recruiting, Max Employment, TEC-NQ, Shared Family Care, Australian Business Corp, MEGT, GTEC Training and Australian Investment Securities Commission
The day was a great success, even earning a segment on WIN Television’s local news!
The following comment was posted on our facebook page: “The Indigenous Careers Day hosted by the Catholic Education & SIAS at James Cook University today was just wonderful. As a parent it was pleasing to see how engaged the students from SMMC & the other schools in the diocese were about their career and tertiary options. All the students represented themselves and their schools with pride. These career days are valuable and provide the student with guided options for the future. It was also wonderful that students from the different schools presented the exhibitors a certificate of appreciation and a gift.” - Toni Pitt
TOP | Cheryl Sorbello and students from Ryan Catholic College at the JCU Indigenous Careers Day
1 | Students from St Margaret Mary’s College, Townsvile.
2 | Students from Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham.
3 | Students from Ignatius Park College, Townsville.
4 | Students from St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie.
5| Students from St Patrick’s College, Townsville.
6 | Students from Burdekin Catholic High School, Ayr.
1
4
2
5
3
6
4 ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EDUCATION TERM 2, 2013
SCHOOLNEWS
AbERgOWRIE’S 20TH ANNUAL COMMUNITy VISITSStaff from St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie visited communities in Far North Queensland and Torres Strait in June/July to promote the college and invite enrolments for 2014.
Mick Grainger and Christian Gordon visited Yarrabah, Hopevale, Mossman, Wujal Wujal and Cooktown in the far north. Pelly Morganson and Christian Gordon visited Warraber, Yorke Island, Moa Island, Yam Is, Saibai Is, Hammond Is and Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.
LEFT | Janguar Nona, Naizel Enosa and Missipelle Nona - former Gowrie Boys from Badu Island. Naizel and Missi are currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at Deakin University.
The Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) is a scholarship program that provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students with the opportunity to pursue high quality educational and leadership opportunities. The program is funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and is administered by Townsville Catholic Education, in the following schools:
•RyanCatholicCollege,Townsville
•StMargaretMary’sCollege,Townsville
•IgnatiusParkCollege,Townsville
•StPatrick’sCollege,Townsville
•GoodShepherdCatholicCollege,Mount Isa
•ColumbaCatholicCollege,ChartersTowers
•StTeresa’sCollege,Abergowrie
•GilroySantaMariaCollege,Ingham
TOP | Thirteen indigenous students from Years 8, 11 and 12 at St Patrick’s College were successful in their applications for the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. At an Assembly on 8th May, Ms Megan Harrison, Indigenous Education Officer at Townsville Catholic Education, acknowledged the 13 students and presented them with their certificates.
ABOVE| Congratulations to the 11 Columba Catholic College students who are recipients of the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program for 2013. [Front] Braey Donahue and Neil Fraser, [Middle] Jada Kyle-Sailor, Aidan Reddicliffe, Dwaine Bathern and Amber Pople, [Back] Cameron Bond, Iesha Woodley, Blair Barnes, Chantaleigh Fraser and Jayden Douglas.
INDIgENOUS yOUTH LEADERSHIp pROgRAM (IyLp)
5
RECONCILIATION WEEk AT ST pETER’S SCHOOL St Peter’s School, Halifax celebrated Reconciliation Week by inviting local Nywaigi representative Mrs Bella Bligh to discuss the concept of reconciliation with students and explain its importance. Mrs Bligh presented students with a stunning timeline of the Nywaigi people’s culture and hardships depicted in the shape of the Rainbow Serpent. This was an engaging and interesting visual aid for students as they learned about the culture of the regions indigenous people.
Mrs Bligh called students to recognize where change needs to occur and take action in their schools. To address this, St Peter’s Catholic School created a ‘Recognition Board’ where students could nominate their peers for promoting positive relationships and reconciliation in the school. Students were presented with their recognition awards at the end of the week and encouraged to continue their leadership and example.
TOP | Mrs Bella Bligh, James Cannon, Shania D’Emden, Taneale Engler, Cheyenne Girone and Johnathon Greer (Principal).
COLUMbA STUDENTS VISIT bIVOUAC JUNCTIONRIGHT | On Saturday 10th March, boarding and day students from Columba Catholic College went out to the Bivouac Junction (camping grounds on the Burdekin River) to participate in workshops based on leadership, self-identity, healthy mind and body.
Big thanks to local traditional owner Miss Tanya Ault for Welcoming us to Country and being a positive role model to students during workshops. All students enjoyed the workshops and the free time to enjoy the bush surroundings.
pERSONALISED LEARNINg pLANS (pLpS) AND LEADINg QUALITy TRANSITIONS FOR AbORIgINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER STUDENTSOn Wednesday 24th April, teachers and Indigenous Education Workers from across the Diocese attended professional development titled Personalised Learning Plans (PLPs) and Leading Quality Transitions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students. The PD aimed to build awareness and skills for a whole school approach to PLPs and strategies for the implementation of quality transitions for Indigenous students’ entry to and exit from school.
Teachers from two Diocesan schools shared their schools’ journey; firstly, Tammi Webber from St Kieran’s Catholic Primary School Mount Isa, followed by Krista O’Connor from Good Shepherd Catholic College Mount Isa.
We thank both these teachers for sharing the excellent work happening in their schools. Lyndall Hill from Dare to Lead facilitated the day, with all delegates taking away new strategies to continue the great initiatives being done in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education in their schools.
RECONCILIATION WEEk AT MARIAN
ABOVE | National Reconciliation Week was launched at Marian Catholic School with a whole school prayer celebration hosted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Prep through to Year 7.
The students shared the theme for this year, ‘Let’s Talk Recognition’ in prayer and song as well as listening to the Gospel which told of God’s message that we should all join together, united as one.
6 ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EDUCATION TERM 2, 2013
SCHOOLNEWS
IgNATIUS pARk STUDENTS VISIT pALM ISLANDIn Term 1, students and staff at Ignatius Park College called for donations of children’s books as part of the 2013 ‘Close the Gap’ campaign to assist in closing the gap in health and literacy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The response by the Ignatius Park College community was overwhelming with close to 1000 books being donated, weighing in at more than 300kgs.
On Friday April 26th, nine Ignatius Park College students along with Mrs Tartellin, Mr Alloway and Mr Kirkpatrick travelled to the St Michael’s Catholic school on Palm Island to present these books to their community. Throughout the day the students were able to sit, read, play, sing, perform for, interact and most importantly, have fun with the students. This relationship between the two school communities is now something we would like to continue in the future.
TOP | Students from Ignatius Park College visited the children at St Michael’s School, Palm Island.
MURRA MULLANgARI pROgRAMBy Tayla West-Chong Year 11
The Murra Mullangari program held on 10th – 15th April in Canberra, was a life changing experience. I gained more from the program than I imagined; from lifelong friendships to a clearer view of my future pathways. I met a number of inspirational Indigenous people and visited Indigenous support networks within the Canberra universities. We
participated in workshops which reflected on the role we play as young Indigenous leaders. Tears were shed and laughs were shared as we yarned and opened up to each other . We were comfortable enough to express ourselves spiritually, emotionally and academically. Meeting each and every person that supported and participated in the program makes me so proud to be a young Aboriginal woman. This program has opened my eyes to see the reasons why it is so vital that more and more of our people excel in the health industry.
ABOVE | Tayla West- Chong of St Margaret Mary’s College.
ExCELLENCE IN pERFORMANCERIGHT | For the past 18 months, Year 12 student at St Patrick’s College, Georgina Walit-Matasia, has been studying for her ‘Certificate III in Health Care Services’ through the Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE and the Townsville Hospital.
Recently she was awarded an ‘Excellence in Performance 2013’ Certificate from Queensland Health representatives, Leanne Windsor and Roianne West.
ST pATRICk’S WELCOMES MISS NAzIndigenous students at St Patrick’s College are welcomed to class by the broad smile of Indigenous Teacher Aide, Ms Nazareth David.
Respectfully known as “Miss Naz” by the students, she brings to the College the experience of five years in her previous role of Teacher Aide on Thursday Island. Naz made the move to Townsville earlier this year with her partner and son for employment opportunities.
Naz says that she found the transition to St Patrick’s College an easy one. She is the aunt of two current students and is well-known to many of the Indigenous families in the College community. She supports the girls, both in class and after-school tutoring sessions which have proven to be extremely popular. Naz also assists in the co-ordination of the Year 10 Sports Academy students at St Patrick’s College.
Supporting the students in their efforts to improve levels of literacy and meet deadlines for assignments are two of the major goals for Naz at the moment. “I believe that I can make a difference in these areas. Success gives the girls confidence and encourages them to tackle the next task with determination.”
ABOVE | Miss Naz David with Year 10 student, Tracey Lei.
7
UNSW NURA gILI WINTER SCHOOLSt Patrick’s College Year 11 student, Makaila Binsiar was selected from hundreds of applicants from all over Australia to attend the 2013 Indigenous Winter School, at the University of New South Wales in July.
Established in 2002, the week-long residential school is one of the largest Indigenous university preparation programs in Australia. The aim of the school is to assist Indigenous students in Years 10, 11 and 12 to clarify their study interests and establish a transitional path to tertiary studies.
Winter school participants are selected based on their community involvement, commitment to education, future aspirations and school recommendation.
Makaila will join 150 Indigenous secondary school students from across Australia to experience university life for a week as part of the Nura Gili Winter School Program and has been offered study the field of Engineering.
RIGHT | Makaila Binsiar
bLESSINg AND OFFICIAL OpENINg OF NEW bUILDINgSTOP | The Reg and Mena Barry Lighthouse Learning Centre and the Bill Coolburra Multipurpose Sporting Complex have been dedicated to three inspirational leaders and elders of the Palm Island Catholic Community who in turn dedicated a great deal of their own lives to St Michael’s School. Our official opening and blessing of our new buildings was a wonderful event with many of our church and family members partaking in it. Bishop Michael Putney blessed all parts of the buildings. Students were very happy to give him their cards for the Lord to keep him safe and healthy. Dr Cathy Day officially opened the buildings thanking the Federal Government and the Queensland Catholic Education Commission for their generous financial support.
ST MICHAEL’S SCHOOL RENEWALRIGHT | Dr Cathy Day, Director of Townsville Catholic Education presented St Michael’s School Captains, Eliar Charles and Giaan Baira with our School Renewal Validation Certificate at St Anne’s Church at the conclusion of our Year 5 liturgy. This shows that we have been working as a team to develop obtainable and educationally relevant goals for the next five years.
bCHS yEAR 8 CULTURAL DAyOn Friday 24th May, the Year 8 students came to school wearing the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flag as part of their Cultural Activities Day.
The day commenced with Miss Scott and Uncle Aicey (Zaro) presenting a slide show about the history of sugar cane in the Burdekin and the important part that South Sea Islanders played in this history. Following this, the students participated in activities including history sessions, games, crafts and weaving.
BELOW | Year 8 students from Burdekin Catholic High School at the Cultural Day.
SEAgRASS MONITORINg AT ST MICHAEL’SOn Tuesday 23rd April, the Reef Guardian School’s Program visited St Michael’s School, Palm Island. Students in Years 6 and 7 participated in monitoring and recording growth of one of the local sea grass patches. Some of the main aims of Reef Guardian Program are to expose students to the Great Barrier Reef and their local catchment areas, to develop opportunities to understand reef habitats and develop understanding about sustainability and wise usage of the Great Barrier Reef.
ABOVE | Students at St Michael’s School, Palm Island learning to monitor local sea grass patches.
