Information and links covering 'In School & After School Programs' such as; Deadly Sista Girlz (Waalitj Foundation), Positive Futures (Les Twentyman Foundation), Bert Williams Aboriginal Youth Services along with a variety of different Koorie Homework Clubs.
In School Programs
Deadly Sista Girlz
Deadly Sista Girlz is a culturally appropriate healthy lifestyle program which aims to improve engagement and education amongst school-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls. Participants are enabled to make informed decisions about their personal health and well-being to lead a positive and healthy lifestyle. Participants benefit from having trusted mentors present and available on the school grounds, helping to build routine, encourage better relationships with the wider community, instil confidence and achieve goals. Deadly Sista Girls is currently available at 17 sites across the country. More information can be found at Deadly Sista Girlz.
Positive Futures
Positive Futures re-engages young people who have already, or are at risk of, disengaging from their education, family and the broader community. The program is designed to complement school initiatives. Positive Futures embeds trained youth workers in schools to deliver a personal development program to a broad range of students, while also providing intensive case management to students who need it most. The youth workers are employees of the Les Twentyman Foundation. The ‘Positive Futures’ program is currently funded to be delivered in the following schools:
- Berwick Secondary College
- Cheltenham Secondary College
- Pakenham Secondary College
- Rangebank Primary School (fee-to-service basis)
We are seeking government funding to expand this program, and would welcome enquiries from schools about the Positive Futures model and whether it could be of value to your school community. More information can be found at Positive Futures.
After School Programs
Bert Williams Aboriginal Youth Services
Bert WillIams Aboriginal Youth Services (BWAYS) is a service managed by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL). BWAYS delivers services to Koorie youth who reside in the North and West Metropolitan Region. One of BWAYS programs is their Tuesday night homework club which is open to all local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending Primary and High School. More information is available at VACSAL.
VACCA Homework Club
This program provides a culturally safe space for Aboriginal children to do their homework with a community Elder and VACCA staff. It is located in Dandenong and Preston. More information is available at VACCA Homework Club.
Koorie Homework Club - Creative Brimbank
Koorie Homework Club (KHC) are having weekly catch ups for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students (years 3-6) or tutoring (secondary or tertiary students). The KHC weekly program offers a safe space for children to catch up on their homework and take part in cultural activities. More information is available at Creative Brimbank.
Gwola Homework Club
Gowola recognises the importance of education and engaging young people in a way that celebrates culture, language and pride in Aboriginality. Every Tuesday during school term, students from Prep to Year 10 make their way to Rumbalara Football Netball Club after school to do their homework and study their culture and language. More information is available at Rumbalara.
Koorie Academy of Excellence
The Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE) is an out of school hours program supporting young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to develop a connection to culture, leadership skills and their academic capabilities.The KAE provides support to Indigenous secondary school students to build their aspirations to remain engaged and excel in their education, complete Year 12 and pursue a study/career pathway of their choice. It is about encouraging its members to be excited about their future, be confident in their choices and be culturally strong. More information can be found at Koorie Academy of Excellence.
AIME Mentoring
AIME is an educational mentoring program that aims to give Aboriginal high school students skills, opportunities, belief and confidence to finish school at the same rate as their non-Aboriginal peers. AIME also connects students with post Year 12 opportunities, including further education and employment. More information can be found at AIME.
Clontarf Foundation
The Clontarf Foundation uses a unique, innovative and highly successful approach to target one of the most at risk groups in contemporary Australian society – young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men. Using the existing passion that these boys have for sport allows Clontarf to initially attract them to school, and then keep them coming. It is however, not a sporting programme – it’s about developing the values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys to transition into meaningful employment and achieve better life outcomes. The Foundation partners with schools and communities to create ‘Clontarf academies’ which are embedded within the school grounds and education programme. More information including the locations of academies can be found at Clontarf Foundation.