Aboriginal Program

The Trinity Aboriginal Program is proud to acknowledge its successful provision and contribution to the education of our 36 students.

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

We continue to provide amazing opportunities for our boys to excel academically, culturally, spiritually and on the sports fields.

The program, run by Mr Gary Malarkey (‘70) and Ms Karrene McLernon, has 36 students on scholarships and they look forward to welcoming six Year 7 students for 2016.

Aboriginal Music Program

This program is continuing to be a successful venture for Trinity College. We have our regular didge classes tutored by a very talented musician, Mr Steve Richter. We’ve created a band called Diversity with members, Jesse Pigram (11.7), Rashawn Reuben (11.5), Isaiah Reuben (9.5) and Connor Brahim (11.5).

The didgeridoo players are Reece Gerrand (7.3), Brandon Jansen (7.5), Brendan Bin Omar (7.2), Roy Kickett (7.2), Izayah Rioli (7.5), Sidney Roberts (7.5), Thairon Jansen (8.4), Alphonse Pigram (8.6), Leroy Pigram (8.6), Jordan Schindler-Thomas (8.7), Lachlan Sibosado (8.7), Brody Green (9.1), Jai Davis (9.7), Kelston Councillor (10.6), Levi Councillor (10.3), Jack Cox (10.4 ), Ethan Hansen (10.4), Ben McGuire (10.6), Jake Cox (11.2) and Troy Jones (11.7).

The boys are improving incredibly well under Steve’s guidance and the patience and rapport he has with the boys has generated a unique and warm environment for the students to learn and explore their own natural

Trinity College Aboriginal Program Back Row: Rashawn Reuben, Chilton (Jnr) Yarran, Benjamin Mcguire, Reece Gerrand, Jai Davis, Connor Brahim Third Row: Sheldon Edwards, Brendan Bin Omar, Brody Green, Nelson Waite, Isaiah Walley-Stack, Lachlan Sibosado, Troy Jones Second Row: Mr Gary Malarkey, Leroy Pigram, Jack Cox, Jesse Pigram, Nicholas Vale, Tiernan Brahim, Kobe Bagshaw, Fraser Simms, Ms Karrene Mclernon Front Row: Brandon Jansen, Roy Kickett, Izayah Rioli, Jordan Schindler-Thomas, Alphonse Pigram, Sidney Roberts, Thairon Jansen, Isaiah Reuben

Dancers at the NAIDOC Assembly

sounds and rhythm. He is our resident music director for Diversity and we wholeheartedly thank him for his tuition, professionalism and expertise.

We have had some opportunities to perform at various primary schools during the year, such as Good Shepherd Catholic Primary School, Gwynne Park Primary School, Embleton Primary School and at Joondalup TAFE.

Troy Jones, Ben McGuire, Jack Cox and Ethan Hansen were also invited to play didgeridoo for the opening of the Catholic Arts Carnevale 2015 in September.

NAIDOC Assembly

Trinity held its annual NAIDOC Assembly on 11 August in Gibney Hall. This is always such a fantastic and anticipated event, especially with our talented students. This year’s NAIDOC theme was ‘We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate’.

This year, Ms Robyn Collard performed the Welcome to Country and addressed the boys about inclusivity and the richness of Aboriginal language and culture. Nelson Waite (12.3) did a fantastic job as Master of Ceremony and Nicholas Vale (12.5) read the College prayer. Our guest speaker was Jayden Gerrand (’14) who spoke about his nursing degree at Edith Cowan University and his involvement with AIME as a mentor to young Aboriginal students. He credits that the opportunity for his receiving two scholarships worth $36,000 to study at ECU was because of his scholarship to Trinity. He also made special mention of the help and support he received from Mr Malarkey and Ms McLernon.

The entertainment for the assembly was provided by most of the Aboriginal students in the program. Our band Diversity sang Free, written by Jesse Pigram and Rashawn Reuben. They played in unison with the didge and cajon players and the effect was outstanding. It’s so wonderful to see most of our Aboriginal students proudly performing on stage. Mr Richter, our talented percussionist and didgeridoo tutor is integral in the orchestration of these students’ performances. The other entertainment piece was Mr David Pigram’s (Jesse Pigram’s father and a member of the well-known Pigram Brothers) perform a song with Jesse Pigram, Leroy Pigram and Alphonse Pigram called Old Man from the Bush. Again, this demonstrates the family bonds that are so important for the development of our young men.

For the assembly Jake Cox orchestrated, organised and proudly led a traditional cultural dance called Lost Boy with four other students: Ben McGuire, Ethan Hansen, Isiaah Caton and Brody Green. Connor Brahim and Lachlan Sibosado played the didge to accompany this dance – it was absolutely fantastic.

Parents, grandparents, family members and staff then enjoyed a morning tea in the senior library after the assembly.

A special thank you goes to Headmaster Mr Ivan Banks, Ms Robyn Collard, Mr David Pigram, Jayden Gerrand (’14), Mr Steve Richter, Library staff, Canteen staff, Education Support staff, Director of Community Relations Ms Sandra Doick, Trinity staff and Ms Amanda Marocchi for driving Nelson Waite back from maths camp, and, importantly, the outstanding and talented Aboriginal students and their participation in the successful 2015 NAIDOC Assembly.

Athletics

There were quite a few boys who were involved in the 2015 athletics team. Isiaah Caton was the team’s Vice-Captain and represented Trinity in high jump and came equal first with Hale School.

Boys involved in athletics were Nelson Waite, Isaiah Walley-Stack, Rashawn Reuben, Jesse Pigram, Brody Green, Leroy Pigram, Alphonse Pigram, Brendan Bin Omar, Roy Kickett, Ben McGuire and Lachlan Sibosado.

Traineeships

Wonderful news is that Sheldon Edwards (12.3) has been awarded full-time employment at BHP Billiton. He has been working in a traineeship for the past two years and was offered a position for 2016. Rashawn Reuben is continuing his traineeship with BHP and we have had reports that Old Boy, Clem Hansen (‘14), also with BHP, is doing exceedingly well.

Isaiah Walley-Stack will complete his sport and recreation traineeship at the end of 2015. Troy Jones is continuing his traineeship at Cummins Diesel, Connor Brahim has started with Leighton Contractors, Jesse Pigram and Jared Cole are with Jaxon Construction. These students are fortunate to be provided with these experiences through South Metropolitan Youth Link (SMYL). Chilton Yarran is with Maxima undertaking a traineeship at ANZ Bank. Maxima is looking to provide Ben McGuire, Jack Cox and Ethan Hansen with either banking traineeships or administrative work through Qantas. All boys were successful in their interviews and, this year, they were also awarded a Certificate 1 in Leadership through SMYL. Jake Cox was with Jaxon Construction and decided to transfer to an ATAR pathway. He is doing very well and we congratulate him on this transition as well as the effort he has put in. His English teacher, Mr Martin Guest, has been particularly impressed with his creative script-writing piece, Gone.

Prefect Nomination

It gives us great pleasure to announce that Jesse Pigram was nominated and awarded a prefect role for 2016. He has been an exceptional leader in terms of his dedication and leadership with all facets of Trinity College. Jesse was also an award winner in the Biennial Peace Art Exhibition & Award with Balance of life. Well done, Jesse.

Gold Club Members

There were two new members in the Gold Club this year. Connor Brahim and Jai Davis. This club acknowledges those students who excel in the academic area and are consistent in their effort with their key subjects.

We congratulate Connor and Jai and, of course, our regular members Nicholas Vale, Levi Councillor, Isaiah Reuben, Brody Green and Lachlan Sibosado. Well done for your applied efforts to your academic subjects.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Program (IYLP)

The Trinity College Aboriginal Program is proud to be associated with IYLP which is a fantastic provider of scholarships for Aboriginal students. Ms Angela Murphy, who facilitates and operates this great program, is a wonderful and motivated person. Nelson Waite won a leadership award through IYLP and attended the graduating ceremony along with scholarship recipients Isiaah Caton and Sheldon Edwards at Presbyterian Ladies’ College Peppermint Grove. IYLP has awarded six new scholarships for next year.

Australian Indigenous Education Fund (AIEF)

The AIEF is a very professional and great organisation with which to be involved. Currently, we have six students receiving a scholarship from AIEF. Rashawn Reuben’s two younger brothers, Jaeree and Nehemiah, will be attending Trinity next year and this will bring us up to the total of eight recipients of an AIEF scholarship.

Mr Malarkey and Ms McLernon attended the AIEF launch in Sydney with students Rashawn Reuben, Connor Brahim and Isaiah Reuben. Jesse Pigram was also invited as a member of to perform the song Country Boy. The audience at this event was suitably impressed with the remarkable talent of these fine young men. They received a standing ovation by some audience members. Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, attended the event along with other dignitaries and stakeholders. This event celebrated the expansion of BHP Billiton and released a compendium for best practice of Aboriginal education. We thank Mr Andrew Penfold and AIEF for their dedication and continued support of our program as well as the education of Aboriginal students across Australia. We take this opportunity to thank the Trinity College community for their support of our Aboriginal Program. A special mention goes to parents, Clare and David Pigram, who are always involved and ready to help out and support the students. Our primary aim is to continue to build great working relationships with the students, teachers, parents and the wider community. Thank you to all staff, especially Mr Anthony Byrne, Mr Simon Harvey, Mr Russell Hinks, Ms Kathryn Down, Ms Donette Firkins, Mr Kenny Chan, Mr Adam Gage, Mr Brad Chapman, Mrs Julia Reid, Mr Graeme Porter, Mr Andrew Osnain, Mr Richard Herrmann, Ms Lisa Laurino, Ms Kate Raphael, Mr Barry McKenna, Mr Jonathan Brown and Mr Chris Morris for their invaluable contribution to our homework classes and the extra tutoring our students need from time to time. The Library staff and Education Support staff are also fundamental to the development of our students and we would like to thank them for their undivided support of our program and the care for our students.

Thank you to Headmaster, Mr Ivan Banks. Without his support of our program and his belief in Aboriginal education we would not be able to provide quality resources and valuable experiences for our Aboriginal students. Thank you to Stephen Spiers (’85) and Danny Hill for their kind generosity in our program by providing three Aboriginal scholarships. They have supported us over many years and Trinity College is very grateful for this continued support. Thank you to all staff at Trinity College who are always willing to assist us with the daily running of our program. Thank you to Ms Sandra Doick for the publications showing our talented young men in Trinity News and on the website. We look forward to welcoming our new Aboriginal students for 2016 and, as always, our focus will be to instil positive work ethics and to facilitate good working relationships with each other and the Trinity community.

Mr Gary Malarkey Aboriginal Education Coordinator/Teacher

Ms Karrene McLernon Aboriginal Assistant Coordinator/English Teacher