Connecting with the Aboriginal Culture

Background

Aboriginal students tend to leave school earlier than their cohorts and as a consequence live with a lower standard of education.

Objective:

To improve aboriginal children and youth’s standard of education.

Activities:

1. Aboriginal students Education

• The Stuartholme Sacred Heart School (Brisbane) has partnered with the Cape York Leaders Program to educate indigenous students.

• Enrollment-free of approximately 20 indigenous students in Years 7 – 12.

• Provide boarding accommodation for the enrolled Aboriginal students

2. Awareness Raising about Aboriginal Culture

Activities of awareness raising in the school to provide an understanding of indigenous culture to all students to enhance their participation in the national agenda of Reconciliation Australia:

• The National Sorry Day and NAIDOC (National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week are celebrated in the school through liturgy and activities.

• An opportunity was provided in 2013 for some of the staff and students to visit Cherbourg, an aboriginal community some three hour’s drive from Brisbane.

Outcomes

• 20 Aboriginal students have increased their standard of education.

• A strong relationship has been established between local elders from Inala, Murgon and Cherbourg.

• Students have strengthened ties with the Aboriginal culture.

Extra comments : 

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are flown as a symbol of our commitment to the recognition of our heritage, reinforcing understanding and valuing the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

People being served : Children and Young People

Age group : Children 0-17, Young people 18-25

Number of participants : mai-50

Project status : Ongoing

Society presence : Australia/New Zealand

Focus of the project : People

JPIC Imperative : Transforming and Being Transformed

UN Sustainable Development Goals : 10 Reduced Inequalities, 17 Partnerships for the Goals, 4 Quality Education