Aboriginal Program

The Trinity Aboriginal program is continuing to provide many excellent opportunities for our students to excel academically, culturally, spiritually and in the sporting arena.

Mr Gary Malarkey Aboriginal Education Coordinator/Teacher Ms Karrene McLernon Aboriginal Assistant Coordinator/English Teacher

We currently have 34 students in our program and look forward to introducing nine new students in 2014. We have six Year 7s, three Year 8s and one Year 12 student enrolled for next year.

Aboriginal Music Program

This program is by far of enormous benefit to the College. Steve Richter takes regular didge lessons twice a week. The students involved have performed extremely well throughout the year. The following boys are in the music program: Connor Brahim (10.5), Jared Cole (10.2), Leroy Pigram (7.6), Jack Cox (9.7), Jake Cox (10.2), Jai Davis (8.7), Brody Green (8.1), Ethan Hansen (9.3), Benjamin McGuire (9.5), Lachlan Sibosado (7.7), Chilton Yarran (10.2), Rashawn Reuben (10.5), Levi Councillor (9.2), Isaiah Reuben (8.5), Tyrell Wallam (9.7), Lachlan Hansen (9.6), Isiaah Caton (11.5) and Nixon Hamlet (12.3). Steve Richter gives the students an opportunity to explore their own natural talents and this has enabled them to grow in confidence and create their own musical rhythm and sounds.

The more experienced didgeridoo players assist those who are still learning. Without the relationship and trust built by Steve and his expertise in percussion, didgeridoo, guitar and piano, the boys would not have developed as confidently or as quickly. Some boys from the above group are selected for performances while some just enjoy learning the didgeridoo and cajon.

There have been four key performances this year. The students’ first performance was for the launch of Reconciliation Week at the State Reception Centre in King’s Park on 27 May 2014.

A small group went to Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School on 3 July and performed during NAIDOC Week to a group of Year 6s. This also involved giving the students a tutorial in didge playing. On 11 September, Connor Brahim and Jake Cox played the didgeridoo for the opening of Catholic Carnivale. A group of students was selected to participate in the NAIDOC Assembly at Embleton Primary School on 16 September. The same group was invited to the Trinity Junior School on 22 October to highlight their talents and also to give a couple of Junior School students a chance to have a turn on the didgeridoo; as well as a lesson on different sounds the didge can make to represent the different animals. This was led by our Year 12 graduate, Nixon Hamlet.

Trinity College Aboriginal Students Back Row: Benjamin McGuire, Isiaah Caton, Clem Hansen, Lachlan Hansen, Isaiah Morich, Jayden Gerrand, Nixon Hamlet, David Cox Third Row: Sheldon Edwards, Jai Davis, Connor Brahim, Rashawn Reuben, Nelson Waite, Jared Cole, Isaiah Walley-Stack, Chilton (Jnr) Yarran Second Row: Mrs Karrene McLernon, Levi Councillor, Nicholas Vale, Brody Green, Troy Jones, Jesse Pigram, Jake Cox, Lachlan Sibosado, Mr Gary Malarkey Front Row: Thairon Jansen, Leroy Pigram, Tiernan Brahim, Ethan Hansen, Jack Cox, Kobe Bagshaw, Isaiah Reuben

NAIDOC Assembly

On Tuesday 12 August, Trinity College held their annual NAIDOC Assembly. This is our opportunity to acknowledge NAIDOC Week and to thank those students with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage for the contribution that they make to the College. The theme for this year’s NAIDOC celebration was to honour those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of country. This includes warriors in the frontier wars to warriors who served with honour and pride in Australia’s military conflicts and engagements across the globe. We publicly recognised the family members that were directly involved in the defence of country from the Aboriginal students at Trinity College.

At this year’s assembly, Jayden Gerrand (12.2) was the Master of Ceremony. Ms Robyn Collard, Sheldon Edwards’ (11.3) grandmother, gave a wonderful and heartfelt Welcome to Country and Isaiah Morich (12.2) read the assembly prayer. Our guest speaker was Private Leonard Olgivie, who was part of the Stolen Generation and enlisted in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps on 24 November 1948 – three years after the official end to World War II. Mr Ogilvie served in the 3rd Battalion. Two years after enlisting he was called upon to represent his country in active duty in the Korean War in 1950. During his tour of national service, Mr Ogilvie was wounded in action. In his senior years, Mr Ogilvie returned to Korea and is recognised as an ambassador for peace by the South Korean Government. Presently, Mr Ogilvie, a father to twelve children, is retired. He loves to go home to country (Northhampton) and when requested, enjoys sharing his story with young Australians, so we have a greater understanding of each other and our joint Australian Aboriginal history.

Jesse Pigram (10.7), Rashawn Reuben and Isaiah Reuben, who performed a song written by Jesse and Rashawn, called Country Boy, provided our entertainment for NAIDOC. The rest of the didge and cajon players accompanied them. Nixon Hamlet spoke in his native tongue as part of the performance. This was directed by Steve Richter. David Pigram (‘81), of the band Pigram Brothers, performed a song with his two sons, Jesse and Leroy Pigram (7.6), called End of Time written by the Pigram Brothers.

Students perform at the NAIDOC Assembly

Nixon Hamlet choreographed an authentic Aboriginal dance and each student announced his country and language to the assembly. It was wonderful to see the boys as a collective group dancing in their own traditions.

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

Presentation Night

The fourth performance was at the Presentation Night at the Perth Concert Hall on Thursday 23 October 2014. It certainly showcased the talent and professionalism of our Aboriginal music program. A huge thank you to Mr Steve Richter and Mr Russell Prior who assisted in the preparation and coordination for the final performance of Country Boy. Big congratulations to our senior student, Nixon Hamlet, for receiving the Year 12 Business award and who was the Athletics Captain for 2014.

Athletics

As well as Nixon Hamlet being the Year 12 Athletics Captain for 2014, he, and the following boys represented Trinity College in the Athletics Carnival: Nixon Hamlet – high jump, triple jump, 200m, 100m and 400m; Isiaah Caton – high jump and triple jump; Nelson Waite (11.3) – long jump and hurdles; Rashawn Reuben – 200m, triple jump and 4 x 100m relay (record breaking time); Jesse Pigram – triple jump; Benjamin McGuire – hurdles, 200m and 100m. Isaiah Reuben – 800m and 4 x 400m relay; Brody Green – 4 x 400m relay; Lachlan Sibosado – shot put and discus. All these boys did exceedingly well.

Traineeships

The Aboriginal students have been involved in various career opportunities throughout the year. Frank Carrocciolo has continued with his work experience at Photo Hendriks, Clem Hansen (12.3) and Sheldon Edwards continue their traineeships with BHP. This year, Rashawn Reuben was awarded a traineeship with BHP. Isaiah Walley-Stack (11.6) is continuing his sport and recreation traineeship with AFL SportsReady. Troy Jones (10.7) begins his work placement at Cummins Diesel and Connor Brahim starts with Leighton Contractors. Chilton Yarran, Jesse Pigram, Jake Cox and Jared Cole are embarking on a carpentry traineeship with Jaxon’s Constructions through South Metropolitan Youth Link (SMYL).

The Year 10s attended Try a Trade at the Swan Trade Centre on 4-6 June 2014. The Year 10s attended the Skills West Expo on 18 September at the Perth Convention Centre. Mr Gary Malarkey (‘70) took some students to Leighton Contractors workshop for a guided tour. In conjunction with SMYL and Aquinas College, our Year 10 students obtained their Cert 1 in Leadership. The Year 10s received a Cert 1 at the SMYL Awards Ceremony on Friday 24 October and out of a pool of 100 students, Jake Cox won an award for his exceptional behaviour and dedication to the Cert 1 program.

Gold Club Members

The following students performed very well throughout the year and were awarded a certificate in the Gold Club. This club acknowledges those Aboriginal students who excel in the academic arena and also those students who make an effort with their application to study. The members are Isaiah Morich, Nicholas Vale (11.5), Clem Hansen, Levi Councillor, Isaiah Reuben, Lachlan Sibosado and Brody Green. Congratulations to these boys for their dedication to their studies.

Aboriginal Accommodation Service Awards Night

On Thursday 23 October, Mr Malarkey and Ms Karrene McLernon attended the Aboriginal Accommodation Service Awards Night. This was a lovely evening and its aim is to acknowledges those who are involved with housing some of our Aboriginal students. We currently have five of our Aboriginal students from remote communities at Cooinda in Mt Lawley. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Brendan and Flo Bin Omar who do an absolutely marvellous job of caring for these students. We also thank Susan Napier from the Department for Child Protection who is a wonderful support to Brendan and Flo as well as our Aboriginal program at Trinity College.

Diversity sing at Presentation Night

The Year 8 students participated in A Day in the Life of a University Student at Notre Dame University on 21 November 2014 and listened to a variety of guest speakers who talked about their various professions and educational opportunities, especially the opportunities awarded to Aboriginal students who have aspirations to attend Notre Dame.

Thank you to SMYL, AIEF, AFL SportsReady, Cummins Diesel, Notre Dame University and Leighton Contractors for their continued support of our Aboriginal students. EREA (Edmund Rice Education Australia)

Mr Malarkey and Ms McLernon continue to support the Dare to Lead program and were involved with various Dare to Lead discussions and webinars, one of which was held at Aquinas College. This is vital to the communication, promotion and development of Aboriginal education in Catholic schools.

Australian Indigenous Education Fund (AIEF)

The AIEF continues to be very supportive of our program. We presently have four students with the AIEF. Mr Malarkey and Ms McLernon and two students, Rashawn Reuben and Connor Brahim attended the AIEF launch held in Sydney on 28-29 May. This was an enlightening experience for all. It celebrated the expansion of BHP Billiton partnership with AIEF and more access to funds for Aboriginal education. We thank Andrew Penfold and AIEF for their continued support of our Aboriginal program.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP)

Trinity College is always pleased to be associated with IYLP and Angela Murphy is a great operator in the program. We have eleven students in IYLP. We attended the IYLP Orientation on Sunday 23 March and this event provides great connections and relationships with the various schools and people involved with IYLP. They have inspirational guest speakers and activities that develop team-building skills and motivation for the students to succeed.

Australian Indigenous Mentoring Education (AIME)

We continue to be involved with the AIME program which enables students to be involved with various activities that promote the importance of Aboriginal education across Australia. We thank Program Coordinator, Fiona Stuart, for her involvement with our boys in this program.

Rashawn and Isaiah Reuben with family at the NAIDOC Morning Tea

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community at Trinity College for their support for our Aboriginal program. Ms McLernon works one-on-one with our Aboriginal students and her unique approach assists them in developing almost every aspect of their education. I thank her for her dedication to the development of our program. We are always developing ideas and our primary aim is to continue to build great working relationships with the students, teachers, parents and wider community. Thank you to all the staff Mr Peter Jones, Mr Russell Hinks, Ms Elise Kukulka, Miss Beth Parkinson, Mr Barry McKenna, Ms Lisa Laurino, Ms Kathryn Down, Mrs Julia Reid, Mr Adam Gage, Mr Kenny Chan and Mr Graeme Porter for their invaluable contribution to our homework classes and the extra tutoring our students need.

Thanks to our Headmaster, Mr Ivan Banks, who wholeheartedly supports our program and believes in the importance of quality education for our Aboriginal students. Thank you to Ms Sandra Doick for her publication of our students’ highlights in the Trinity News and on the Trinity website. Both Karrene and I look forward to welcoming the new Aboriginal students next year and our focus will be to deliver an inclusive education to all our boys facilitating good work ethics and relationships.

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

Ms Karrene McLernon Aboriginal Assistant Coordinator/English Teacher

Jayden Gerrand (12.2) with his uncle Mr Kevin Bynder who who designed the Aboriginal Football jersey for the game v Scotch College

The Didge Boys perform a song written by Jesse Pigram at the NAIDOC Assembly