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Aboriginal Program
The Trinity Aboriginal Program witnessed the boys excel even further this year with many exciting achievements being recognised and celebrated.
Ms Karrene McLernon
Aboriginal Assistant Coordinator/English Teacher
Mr Gary Malarkey
Aboriginal Education Coordinator/Teacher
The program has 35 students on scholarships and this year, six new students received scholarships to attend Trinity College Aboriginal Program: five for Year 7 and one for Year 10.
Our program values great mentorship and we still continue good relationships with BHP, Australia Post, SMYL and Maxima. The following students received traineeships this year: Benjamin McGuire (11.6) with Qantas, Ethan Hansen (11.4) with National Australia Bank and Jack Cox (11.4) with Australia Post.
Our Year 10s are in the process of acquiring their chosen paths. Isaiah Reuben (10.5) is in the interview stage with BHP, Jai Davis (10.7) is looking to do a diesel mechanic traineeship with SMYL, Tiernan Brahim (10.5) has applied for Qantas and Brody Green (10.1) has been accepted by National Australia Bank.
We celebrate the successful completion of our Year 12s in their chosen traineeships: Rashawn Reuben (12.5) – Certificate II in Business with BHP Troy Jones (12.7 – Certificate II Automotive Servicing
Technology with Sinclair Mechanics Chilton Yarran (12.2) – Certificate II in Business with
St George Bank Jared Cole (12.2) – Certificate II in Building &
Construction with Jacksons Constructions Connor Brahim (12.5) – Certificate II Automotive
Servicing Technology with Thiess.
We are extremely proud of all our Year 12s who graduated with their WACE Certificate. Most of our boys opted to stay with the company they completed their traineeship with for full time employment. Jesse Pigram and Jake Cox (12.2) are both attending UWA to study a teaching degree.
Jesse Pigram was elected Prefect for 2016 and carried this honour with distinction. He was also awarded Outstanding Aboriginal Student (ATAR). This was presented to him by Aboriginal Education Consultant, Mr Norman Brahim, from the Catholic Education Office of WA. It was in the category of Awards of Excellence in Catholic Aboriginal Education.
Our program is extremely appreciative and proud of the work that Mr Steve Richter does with our Aboriginal Music Program. Again, the professional relationship we have built over the years has had a great impact on the students and their willingness to participate and enjoy the music, didgeridoo and cajon lessons.
The band, Diversity, performed with absolute distinction at various venues: the NAIDOC assembly, St Columba’s Primary School, Gwynne Park Primary School, Australia Post, Madalah fundraising event and Ballajura Community College. The boys wrote and composed their own song, Praise your Love. At the College’s Presentation Night, Jesse Pigram sang a solo piece with the whole College song, surrounded by his fellow Year 12 cohort. Diversity sang their song Praise your Love and our didgeridoo players, accompanied by a solo piece from Connor Brahim, performed on stage also. Connor Brahim was invited by City of Perth to play the didgeridoo and Jesse Pigram, Isaiah Reuben (10.5) and Nehemiah Reuben (7.8) sang Christmas carols and performed behind the Supreme Court Gardens to a crowd of 10,000 people.
Our Aboriginal students were well represented in the sporting arena. This year seven of our boys played 1st XVIII football, our highest number ever. Jeffrey Farrell (7.4) was the Year 7 athletics champion.
Rory Charles (7.2) was selected in the WA Country Basketball team and competed in Melbourne in December.
The athletics team was well-represented with Jesse Pigram, Benjamin McGuire, Brody Green, Lachlan Sibosado (9.7), Leroy Pigram (9.1), Reece Gerrand (8.4), Brendan Bin Omar (8.2) and Jeffrey Farrell all giving their best for the College.
Our Gold Club has been the most successful this year and many students achieved membership in this club with the younger boys leading the way. All areas are assessed from their reports to achieve this award.
The 2106 NAIDOC Assembly was amazing and showcased how talented and diverse our students are. The NAIDOC theme for this year was ‘Songlines: The living narrative of our nation’.
Rory Charles, Jeffrey Farrell, Robert Hansen and Izayah Rioli (8.5) performed a didgeridoo and cajon routine. We are immensely proud of their efforts, considering this was their very first performance in front of the College.
Jake Cox and Chilton Yarran performed the dual role as masters of ceremonies for the assembly and both boys did an exceptional job. Jake Cox successfully choreographed and performed a dance, Lost Boy, with Troy Jones, Connor Brahim, Ethan Hansen, Benjamin McGuire, Brody Green, Jai Davis, Leroy Pigram, Brendan Bin Omar, Roy Kickett (8.2) and Jeffrey Farrell. Jake also played the didgeridoo and is proud of his Aboriginal heritage and passes this on to the other students.
Mr David Pigram sang with his sons, Jesse and Leroy. Old Boy Jarred Wall (’02) (of Jake and the Cowboys) sang two pieces and he also spoke about his invaluable education at Trinity College and how it has supported him in his life.
Benjamin McGuire’s auntie, Ms Cindy Garlett, gave the Welcome to Country.
Trinity College has been very fortunate to receive continued support from the not-for-profit organisation, the Indigenous Youth Leadership Program, which provides scholarships for Aboriginal students. Our thanks to Ms Angela Murphy, the facilitator of the program for her tireless work in providing much needed support for Aboriginal students. This year the new recipients were Rory Charles, Reece Gerrand and Roy Kickett.
Homework classes are still in operation thanks to the generosity of Ms Kathryn Down, Mrs Julia Reid, Mr Russell Hinks, Mr Kenny Chan (’91), Ms Lisa Laurino, Mr Adam Gage, Mr Andrew Osnain, Mr Chris Morris, Mr Daniel Bateman, Mr Graeme Porter, Ms Rebekah-Harris Miller, Mr Richard Herrmann and Mr Gerard Theseira (’75). These classes provided invaluable assistance to the Aboriginal students, and especially for those students who needed the extra assistance. Our thanks to all staff who were always willing to go beyond what was required.
Ms Karrene McLernon and I look forward to 2017 in welcoming the new students who are joining us in our program. It is also with sad hearts that we say goodbye to our seven Year 12 boys of whom we have grown very fond and proud over the last six years. We know they will go forth bravely into the future knowing that they can achieve and have success in life.
Mr Gary Malarkey (’70)
Aboriginal Education Coordinator/Teacher
Ms Karrene McLernon
Aboriginal Assistant Coordinator/English Teacher
In the PL Duffy Library after the NAIDOC Assembly
TRINITY COLLEGE ABORIGINAL PROGRAM FRONT ROW: Danai Weelart-Osborne, Nehemiah Reuben, Jaeree Reuben, Izayah Rioli, Sidney Roberts, Thairon Jansen, Roy Kickett, Isaiah Reuben, Jeffrey Farrell, Rory Charles, Robert Hansen SECOND ROW: Tiernan Brahim, Lachlan Sibosado, Kobe Bagshaw, Aidan McDonagh, Jordan Schindler-Thomas, Malaki Rodoreda, Jack Cox, Jake Cox, Jesse Pigram THIRD ROW: Mr Gary Malarkey, Levi Councillor, Connor Brahim, Brody Green, Chilton Yarran, Brendan Bin Omar, Reece Gerrand, Ethan Hansen, Jared Cole, Rashawn Reuben, Troy Jones, Kelston Councillor, Ms Karrene McLernon ABSENT: Ben McGuire, Leroy Pigram, Jai Davis and Stanley Tittums
