FOLLOW THE DREAM NEWS

Kaya, and welcome to our section of the newsletter It has been an incredibly busy term for our Follow the Dream students and staff!

Sorry Day

Every year on the 26th of May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.

At Sevenoaks, our Follow the Dream program took time to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflected on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. Students had the opportunity to make badges and engage with a display of resources in the College Foyer Our Senior teacher Kayleen Hayward spent time in the classrooms delivering lessons about the Stolen Generation

Langford Aboriginal Association

Follow the Dream is proud to continue their partnership with Langford Aboriginal Association (LAA). Through their Moorditj Koolungka Kaadadjiny (MKK) program, our students receive a fortnightly visit from Michelle Cummins, Program Coordinator, and staff. Sessions are based on topics surrounding youth empowerment.

BG&E INCURSION

Our partnership with BG&E continues this year. Staff from BG&E came into Follow the Dream this term to share opportunities in engineering and did the Marshmallow Engineering STEM Challenge with students. In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of sticks of spaghetti and marshmallows. The activity was designed to develops students' engineering skills and enhance their critical thinking. The activity works on the STEM concepts of design, building, shape, and structure in a fun and hands-on way.

Jobs And Skills Partnership

Follow the Dream has established a beneficial partnership with the Jobs and Skills Centre – Thornlie, South Metropolitan TAFE. Karlee Parnham, Senior Client Engagement Officer - Aboriginal Services, has visited students and hosted group and individual sessions to support our students' career pathways. The services are shaped according to the needs of the individual and work with local industries to create connections for Aboriginal clients to local employers.

The School engagement services provide students with career guidance and mentoring as they progress to exit the school system on completion of their studies; and to commence their next journey whether be continuing their education, seeking work or a traineeship or apprenticeship pathway.

Target Carousel Partnership

Follow the Dream is proud to have secured a wonderful partnership with Target Carousel This term, Store Manager, Daniel Roy-McGregor, and Assistant Store Manager, Rachel Harrison, both visited the College and spoke to Follow the Dream students about their experiences with Target and encouraged students to apply for casual vacancies.

They also have partnered with FTD to build on the Wesfarmers Reconciliation Action Plan, which is based around our five core areas of focus; increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members working in our business, ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander team members access career development and progression to increase representation at all levels of our business; increasing our procurement from, and support for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses, investing in partnerships with organisations who are focused on improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures

We are so proud to partner with Target Carousel. Some of the outcomes include:

Presentations at Follow the Dream from Target Staff

Engagement with their Aboriginal Advisor

Job interviews at the College

Successful job placements for our students (Dexter Cross, Tyresse Smith)

Sponsorship for Naidoc 2023

Ongoing cultural/training opportunities

We are very excited to see this partnership grow and look forward to the many opportunities it will provide for out Follow the Dream students.