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Blak Excellence
WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE AN EMERGING LEADER?
In Term 2, we asked our students about their experience within the Emerging Leaders program.
The aim of the survey was to:
• Monitor and improve the
Emerging Leaders program • Assist with the changes and improvements that will benefit students and aid the strategic
Emerging Leaders planning This is my first year
26.6%
FEEDBACK FROM OUR STUDENTS, WHEN ASKED WHY THEY ENJOY BEING A PART OF THE PROGRAM: 3+ Years
41.8%
1 – 2 Years 31.6%
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM?
Mentoring Goal setting Funding (uniforms, school fees) Electives
Homework/Study Club Homeroom
Incentives (Bronze, Silver, Gold) Engagement Activities Coordinators
IEWs in class
Other 36 (45.6%) 45 (57%) 42 (53.2%) 14 (17.7%) 55 (69.6%) 45 (57%) 53 (67.1%) 48 (60.8%) 18 (22.8%) 9 (11.4%) 16 (20.3%) 40
30
20
10
3 4 5 1 being not good, 5 being very good
“I get to have new experiences with people from the same culture, I get to meet new people and make new friends”.
“It is a good Indigenous program that encourages
young Indigenous kids
to enjoy school.” “It makes me feel as though I have a role in my community.”
Who do our students represent?
Students at 10 of our 11 secondary colleges were asked to register as Emerging Leaders online through a Google form that captured a wide range of information on each student. Our boarding school students at St Teresa’s College in Abergowrie were not required to complete this process due to the ongoing design and development of their specific model. The registration process provides families with the opportunity to acknowledge the Traditional Owner Group/s to which they belong. In this program; 83.4% of students identify as Aboriginal, 11.2% identify as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and 5.2% identify as Torres Strait Islander.
Out of the 590 responses to the registration form, 314 respondents acknowledged their Traditional Owners. There were 154 different Traditional Owner groups from all of Australia’s states and territories identified as a part of our program. The Traditional Owner group with the highest number of Emerging Leaders is the Kalkadoon people (48) of the land around Mount Isa in North West Queensland. While 21 Kalkadoon Emerging Leaders attend the local Catholic College in Mount Isa, we also have Kalkadoon Emerging Leaders at St Joseph’s Catholic School, Cloncurry (1), Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham (4), St Catherine's Catholic College, The Whitsundays (3), and Southern Cross Catholic College (1), Ryan Catholic College (10), St Margaret Mary’s College (3), and St Anthony’s Catholic College (6) in Townsville. Additionally, there are also Kalkadoon Emerging Leaders at St Teresa’s College in Abergowrie (1). The other Traditional Owner Groups that represent with high numbers (>10) are the Bwgcolman (19), Juru (13) and Gudjal (11).
MEET OUR EMERGING LEADER JAHRAHN
Tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Who is your mob?
My name is Jahrahn Neal-Yeatman and I am from Yarrabah, near Cairns but live in Gordonvale. I am a student at St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie (STC). My clans are Kuku Djungan, Kuku Yalanji, Gunggandji, Bindal and Woopaburra. I am passionate about Indigenous culture and I want to be heard! I also want to help non-Indigenous people understand and appreciate our culture better.
What grade are you in at STC? Nine
What do you like most about school life at STC?
I like that it feels like one big family - the Gowrie family. I like the many opportunities it gives me to use my voice, through dance and sharing my culture but also through debating and other opportunities to step up and lead.
What do you want to be when you leave school? Why?
I'd like to go to university and be a lawyer so I can help my people by giving a voice to those who feel they don't have one.
Tell us a little about your Emerging Leaders Journey. What is your highlight from the Emerging Leaders program at the school?
I started at St Teresa's the same year the Emerging Leaders program started at the college so it is what I have always known. In fact, the Emerging Leaders Center is almost my second home! I think it is a worthwhile program that supports Indigenous students and should keep going. A highlight has been getting a guitar as part of our engagement pack a few years ago. I now take regular lessons and play in the chapel band every week.
Why do you think Emerging Leaders is an important program for students across Townsville Catholic Education?
I think it is important because it supports Indigenous kids with mentoring when they might not always have that. It encourages them to try harder at school.
Finally, are you on track to achieve your Performance Incentive Goal this year? What level are you chasing?
I'm aiming to reach Gold this year. I know I'm definitely on track with engagement! I have to try a little harder and make sure I get to all my classes and keep working hard.
Continuous Learning for our Staff
The Indigenous Education Services Team deliver a number of professional development (PD) and training opportunities each year that embed Indigenous knowledges, histories, and cultures. Townsville Catholic Education staff from across the Diocese are able to participate in these training opportunities.
2021 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
11 FEBRUARY 2021
A Stronger smarter approach to community engagement (IE2103)
This training provides an introduction to the Stronger Smarter Institute’s approach to community engagement with First Nations people in local contexts and investigates philosophies and develops strategies to support Indigenous Education within individual school communities.
24 FEBRUARY 2021
Cross-curricular priorities (IE2104)
This PD explores how the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in curriculum planning and learning activities can enrich educational experiences for all students.
26 MAY 2021
Culturally responsive pedagogies (IE2108)
This professional development session explores and unpacks culturally responsive pedagogical strategies and research to assist with effective engagement, support and outcomes for First Nations students.
Tammi Webber
Indigenous Education Adviser
Janelle Knack
Indigenous Education Adviser
Krista O’Connor
Indigenous Education Adviser
28 JULY 2021
Indigenous Spiritualities (IE2111)
This training shares the importance of the word ‘Country’ for Indigenous Australians and how culture, food and land are fundamental links to Indigenous peoples’ identity and spirituality.
26-27 OCTOBER 2021
Indigenous STEM Perspectives (IE2114)
This PD gives teachers and curriculum leaders the opportunity to unpack The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) elaborations for Maths and Science and investigate various illustrations of practice and First Nations STEM programs.
For information about the Indigenous Education PD opportunities in 2022, contact your Indigenous Education Adviser.
Leisa Leon
Project Officer – Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme
Carly Leon-Simmons
Administration – Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme
Vanessa Blackman
Administration Assistant
Mulkadee Youth Arts Festival presents The Wizard of Oz
Hundreds of future stars of the stage had the opportunity to shine bright at this year’s Mulkadee Youth Arts Festival.
The 15th annual arts extravaganza presented the classic story, the Wizard of Oz, with students from throughout the Diocese travelling to take part.
The intense week of workshops focused on dance, drama, choir, strings, band and guitar and was presented by local industry-level conductors and instructors. The Mulkadee Youth Arts Festival is the only event of its kind in Australia, with the final concert showcasing the professional training received throughout the week with one huge performance.
Students from Years 4 to 12 joined artistic forces to create the spectacular event.
Check out some of the great images captured during the week!
St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie
At the end of Term 2, the team from Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good (DIYDG) in Cairns facilitated a Leadership and Teambuilding Day for the Emerging Leaders at St Teresa’s College. Mentor Groups rotated through a variety of challenges and exercises aimed at promoting leadership and encouraging trust, communication, problem solving and teamwork, as they vied for the Gowrie Leaders Cup!
Themes included Goal Setting, Values and Building the Gowrie Leader. At St Teresa’s College, all students are allocated to one of ten Mentor Groups, each with three to four staff mentors from both the Day and Residential Schools. Students meet in their mentor group four times a week for check-ins and to discuss issues relating to their attendance, academic achievement and engagement. A great day was had by students and staff alike and we look forward to working collaboratively with DIYDG again in the future to support and build our Emerging Leaders.
Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Ingham
The students at Our Lady of Lourdes have had a very busy term, competing in the Ingham Arts Festival and taking home some amazing prizes, fighting it out at the school sports carnival and two of our students, Ben and Rhys also joined forces with Ingham State School to represent Ingham in AFL at the Garbutt Magpies Cup. Special thanks to Mr Randall, an Elder from Townsville for teaching the students about the history of the Garbutt Magpies as well. The school has also been busy preparing for the 100 year anniversary of the Barnes Cup, and joined more than 1000 students from across the District to compete in the event.
St Peter’s Catholic School, Halifax
St Peter’s Catholic School has been very busy preparing for the 100 year anniversary of the Barnes Cup this term. Students were busy training for the athletics carnival, where they competed against students from other primary schools across Ingham. The annual event took place on Thursday of Week 6. Congratulations to all students who participated and worked hard in training beforehand!
Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham
Term 3 has been a very busy term for all the staff and students at Gilroy Santa Maria College. There has been plenty happening at the college, from new buildings taking shape to students participating in the Ingham Arts Festival and Mulkadee to hosting Transition Days for our Year 6 students. We also hosted a free community event where community members were able to come and experience what makes Gilroy so special, while enjoying plenty of food, entertainment and there were even prizes to be won! A great day was had by all.
St Francis School, Ayr
St Francis held their NAIDOC celebrations at the end of Term 2. The day began with a Liturgy led by our Indigenous students. The older students delivered the readings and the younger students brought representations of Indigenous culture to the table. The Liturgy also included one of our parent’s Indigenous artworks. Following the Liturgy, students participated in a range of activities that included witchetty grub weaving, yarni stick weaving and making paper flowers. Ms Sharon Russo joined our Year 5 and 6 students and taught them how to weave a coaster from palm leaf fronds. To finish off the day the whole school participated in a Clean up Country activity where they cleaned up our school grounds.
Burdekin Catholic High School, Ayr
The NAIDOC theme “Heal Country” has refreshed our understanding that together we have a common purpose in restoration and healing. Following a successful 2020, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students have engaged in the Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme once again. A range of activities provided opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate leadership skills. Whilst in a broader school context, students have facilitated: Sand Art (Year 8 Camp), Sorry Day’s minute of silence and flag lowering, along with NAIDOC assembly and activities. In partnership with Traditional Owners and Gudjuda Land & Sea Rangers, they shared and mentored others while renewing their own Identity and purpose. The upcoming Ocean Creek Clean-up calls us to regenerate partnerships … to “Heal Country”.
St John Bosco Catholic School, Collinsville
This year St John Bosco hosted the school NAIDOC Celebrations for the Collinsville/ Scottsville communities. Students from all four schools and the local kindy attended. The celebrations began with a Welcome to Country from local Elder Uncle Colin. The celebrations included a flag raising ceremony at our newly installed flag pole area, the opening of our Indigenous Garden space and rotational activities for students that involved arts and crafts, artefacts display and kangaroo and damper tasting. It was a great day of celebration and learning.
St Catherine’s Catholic College, TheWhitsundays
Small successes in academics, confidence with examinations, and completing homework on time are just a few of the results achieved by St Catherine's Murri Club students. Every Thursday afternoon at Murri Club, school officers and teachers assist students with homework, assignments, or with preparation for exams. The College worked hard to eliminate travel barriers for students, with an extra bus to and from Bowen added to the Thursday bus run. St Catherine's students from Prep to Year 12 were also treated to special performances by Australian Indigenous comedian Sean Choolburra on Friday, August 13. Sean’s ‘The Live and Deadly’ show had secondary students enraptured by his jokes and magnetic personality, while after lunch Sean entertained primary students with a cultural show. The highly interactive show had students acting out a Dreamtime story, playing the didgeridoo and clapping sticks, ending with all students up – dancing and singing.
