Aboriginal Education

from Annual: Trinity 2013

Roll Call

Aboriginal Education

The Trinity Aboriginal program is continuing to provide many opportunities for our students to excel academically, culturally, spiritually and in the sporting arena. We currently have 36 students on full scholarship and look forward to introducing seven new students in 2014. We have three Year 7s and four Year 8s enrolled for next year.

Mr Gary Malarkey (’70) Aboriginal Education Officer/Teacher

TIDE (Trinity Indigenous Dance Ensemble) directed by Ruth Bott and The Didge Boys, directed by Steve Richter.

This program is by far an enormous benefit to the College. The students involved have performed extremely well throughout the year. Rehearsals, tutorials, fittings have all contributed to some outstanding and world-class performances. There have been four key performances this year. The first was for Reconciliation Week at Government House on 27 May 2013 which involved both our dancers and Nixon Hamlet (11.4) and Isaiah Walley-Stack (10.2) with a solo didgeridoo performance. Some of our students were fortunate enough to meet Western Australian Governor, Mr Malcolm McCusker. We also created a reconciliation message that was used on one of the banners displayed in St Georges Terrace. We were one out of the six schools chosen in WA. Our message “Reconciliation is the sharing of minds, hearts and spirit. It is continuing the journey towards forgiveness and understanding” captivates the essence of reconciliation.

NAIDOC Assembly

On Tuesday 13 August, Trinity College held their annual NAIDOC assembly. This was our opportunity to acknowledge NAIDOC Week and to thank those students with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage for the contribution they make to the College. The theme for this year’s NAIDOC celebration is ’We value the vision: Yirrkala Bark Petitions 1963’.

At this year’s assembly, Bohdi Narkle (12.7) was the MC, Jayden Gerrand (11.5) gave the Acknowledgement to Country and David Cox (10.4) read the NAIDOC prayer. The Didge Boys, played the didgeridoo and the Cajon drums, under the direction of Steve Richter, provided the exceptional performances. Jesse Pigram (9.4) and Rashawn Reuben (9.2) who played the guitar and sang Down by the River by the Pigram Brothers accompanied the Didge Boys. Trinity’s dance ensemble TIDE performed River, River choreographed by Ruth Bott. The keynote address was given by Jarred Wall (’02) who spoke about his time at Trinity College and his life journey since graduating in 2002. He talked about his band Jake and the Cowboys and how he contributes most of his success to the connections he has made at Trinity College. Jarred performed two of his own song compositions – everyone at the assembly was completely captivated by his incredible talent. The College was then presented with an official block-mounted NAIDOC poster that is currently hanging in the foyer of the O’Doherty Cultural Centre.

After the assembly we all gathered in the PL Duffy Library Resource Centre to share a morning tea with parents, staff and special guests, as well as representatives from the Catholic Education Office, Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP) and the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).

Trinity College Aboriginal Students Back Row (standing): Tyrell Wallam, Kelston Councillor, Isaiah Walley-Stack, Levi Councillor, Jai Davis, Lachlan Hansen, Clem Hansen, Troy Jones, Chilton Yarran, Jake Cox, Jared Cole, Benjamin McGuire, Nelson Waite, Sheldon Edwards, Isiaah Caton, Joshua Loo, Brody Green, Lance Mongoo, Jack Cox, Brodi Narkle, Mr Gary Malarkey Front Row (seated): Ms Karrene Mc Lernon, Nicholas Vale, Connor Brahim, Leon Nieuwburg, Kieren Wheelock, Rashawn Reuben, Bailey Wallam, Jesse Pigram, Jayden Gerrand, Nixon Hamlet, Isaiah Morich, Jordan Bagshaw Absent: Reece Gerrand, Tyson Ryan, David Cox, Ethan Hansen

The Golden Heritage Club

The third performance was held in Gibney Hall on 20 August 2013 in front of Old Boys who are members of the The Golden Heritage Club. The Old Boys thoroughly enjoyed the show and loved talking to the Aboriginal boys at the morning tea. Gary Malarkey (’70) gave a quick brief of the program and mentioned the great work that Ruth Bott and Steve Richter did with our boys. Thank you to Diane Millar, from the Trinity-Terrace Old Boys’ Association for organising the gathering.

Presentation Night

The fourth performance was at the Presentation Night at the Perth Concert Hall. On Tuesday 22 October, TIDE and the Didge Boys gave their final show for the year and did an amazing performance. It certainly showcased the talent and professionalism of our dance and didgeridoo program. A huge thank you goes to Ruth Bott for her vision, patience, professionalism, passion and hard work throughout the year. Steve Richter recorded part of the music that accompanied the dance as well as instructing the boys with the Cajons and didgeridoos. Mr Richter is an integral part of the didgeridoo/dance program and we thank him for his ‘chilled out’ and professional manner. The combination of Ms Bott, Mr Richter and our talented students created many masterpieces to remember. A big congratulations to our senior students Nixon Hamlet (11.4) who won an award for athletics and Bhodi Narkle (12.7) who won the Business Award for 2013.

Australian Defence Force (ADF)

Nixon Hamlet (11.4) was selected to attend an Australian Defence Force study tour in Canberra from 15 April to 19 April. He thoroughly enjoyed the experience but found the routines quite regimented. Athletics

Nixon Hamlet (11.4), Josh Loo (12.6), Rashawn Reuben (9.2) and Isiaah Caton (10.1) represented Trinity in the athletics carnival and did exceedingly well. Nixon won the 400 metres in A division and Rashawn came second in the B division 200 metres.

Isiaah Caton (10.1) attended the Athletics Championship in Kuala Lumpur and received a bronze medallion in high jump.

Excursions

Some of our students were involved in Just Leadership Day at John XXIII College on 14 May 2013 along with Caritas and the Catholic Education Office. There were students from John XXIII College, La Salle College, Santa Maria College and Aranmore Catholic College. Karrene McLernon took students between Years 10-12 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students to explore various historical aspects of Aboriginal people and their constitutional rights. It was very informative and everyone provided some worthwhile discussion points with the hope of continuing the conversation in schools and the wider community.

Traineeships/Careers

The Aboriginal students have been involved in various career opportunities throughout the year. The Year 11s participated in Leighton Contractor’s workshop day and also the senior students went to Notre Dame University on 21 June 2103 to listen to a variety of guest speakers on their various professions and educational opportunities, especially the opportunities awarded to Aboriginal students who have aspirations to attend Notre Dame. Years 10-12 students went to AFL SportsReady Careers Day on 29 May and 24 June and were accompanied by

Presentation Night

our Careers Adviser, Peter Jones, and Gary Malarkey. Trinity College and Wesley College joined with South Metropolitan Youth Link (SMYL) to obtain their Certificate 1 in Leadership and the Year 8s attended the University of WA Year 8 Discovery Day on Wednesday 27 November. Our Aboriginal students have many opportunities to find possible pathways and interesting careers through these particular avenues. Thank you to SMYL, AFL SportsReady, University of WA, Notre Dame University and Leighton Contractors for their continued support with our Aboriginal students.

Deadly Awards/Gold Club Members

We have continued with our Deadly Awards, which encourages the Aboriginal students to continue working hard to achieve their goals and help them be organised. Their efforts are rewarded publicly and it is a good motivator for the use of diaries, punctuality, completion of homework and attendance. The Gold, Silver and Bronze Clubs help the students who are aiming to perform well in the academic arena, stay focused on their studies and achieve their goals in certain subject areas.

Jayden Gerrand talks to Ms Alannah MacTiernan about ‘The Other Election’ Opening of Reconciliation Week at Government House

Catholic Education Aboriginal Committee (CEAC)

Both Gary Malarkey (’70) and Karrene McLernon attended the CEAC Awards Night at The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle. Mr Malarkey one an award for his service and contribution in Aboriginal Education and Flo Bin Omar won the community contribution award. Flo Bin Omar has been responsible for housing and taking care of Aboriginal students from remote communities at Cooinda House in Mt Lawley. We have five students currently boarding there and Flo and her husband, Brendan, do a marvellous job of caring for these students.

Australian Indigenous Education Fund (AIEF) has been very supportive of our program. Presently, we have three students with AIEF and will be picking up a student in 2014. Mr Malarkey, Mr Ivan Banks and the three students: Kieren Wheelock (11.4), Rashawn Reuben (9.2) and Connor Brahim (9.1) attended the AIEF launch in Sydney on 21-23 May, which was an enlightening experience. Connor and Rashawn were the only WA students to be selected for the Outward Bound Experience which the boys thoroughly enjoyed. AIEF started their mentor program for Connor and Rashawn and both boys have met and bonded very well with their respective BHP mentors. We attended an AIEF breakfast at Fraser’s Restaurant in King Parks where AIEF announced and celebrated the expansion of BHP Billiton partnership with AIEF through an extra ten million dollar contribution to their fund. We thank Andrew Penfold and AIEF for their continued support of our Aboriginal program.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP)

It is always a pleasure to be associated with the IYLP and Angela Murphy is a great operator in the program. We have nine students in IYLP. We attended the IYLP Orientation in March and the students in Year 10 were fortunate enough to attend the gathering camp at Sorrento. David Cox (10.4), Isiaah Caton (10.1) and Sheldon Edwards (10.3) loved the camp so much they didn’t want to come home or return to school! We thank IYLP and Ms Murphy for the fantastic work they provide for our students.

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Education (AIME)

This wonderful program commenced on 10 May and the students involved thoroughly enjoyed it. Jayden Gerrand (11.5) won second place in The Other Election – an initiative by AIME to promote education of Aboriginal students and encourage aspirations of becoming an Aboriginal Prime Minister. Jayden was awarded the privilege of two trips – first to Sydney and then to Canberra to visit Parliament House and meet the Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Tony Abbott.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the fabulous work that Karrene McLernon does in our program as we continue to build great working relationships with the students, teachers, parents and wider community. Thank you to the staff: Peter Jones (’03), Richard Trend (’69), Richard Herrmann, Barry McKenna, Lisa Laurino, Kathryn Down, Tanya Vranjes, Julia Reid, Rachel Konsolis, Susie Edwards, Amanda Marocchi, Michael Brook, Riccardo Carbone, Andrew Osnain for their invaluable contribution to our homework classes and the extra tutoring our students need. Thanks to our Headmaster, Ivan Banks, who wholeheartedly supports our program and believes in the importance of quality education for our Aboriginal students. Thank you to Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Sandra Doick, for her publication of our students’ highlights in the Trinity News and the Trinity website. Both Karrene and I look forward to welcoming the new Aboriginal students next year and our focus will be to deliver a quality education to all our boys.

Mr Gary Malarkey (’70) Aboriginal Education Officer/Teacher