Indigenous Engagement
Clontarf Academy
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young aboriginal men and by doing so, equip them to participate more meaningfully in society.
The Clontarf Academy supports Aboriginal boys and operates in partnership with Mildura Senior College. We are focused on encouraging behavioural change, developing positive attitudes, assisting students to complete school and secure employment. Fundamental to this, is the development of values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys to achieve better life outcomes. Through a diverse mix of activities, the fulltime Clontarf staff will mentor and counsel students while the College caters for the educational needs of each student.
To remain in the Academy, students must consistently endeavour to:
- Attend school regularly
- Apply themselves to the study of appropriate courses
- Embrace the Academy’s requirements for behaviour and self-discipline
Academy reward activities gained through school attendance, training attendance and academy involvement include:
- Regular football games and other activities against Victorian/Interstate Clontarf Academies
- Dreamtime at the “G” football game in Melbourne
- Football games in Adelaide and Melbourne
- End of year and term trips
General Academy activities also include:
- Morning and afternoon training sessions
- Murray Cup games and sleepovers once a term
- Oasis Aged Care gardening projects weekly
- Parent and partners breakfasts
- Site visits to local partners and potential future employers
Stars Academy
The Koorie Girl’s Academy was established in 2012. The purpose of the Academy is to provide support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls enrolled at the Mildura Senior College. A pathways class was established in 2014 to provide a more structured approach in support and monitoring of the girls. We are very excited to have The Stars Foundation commence at the College in 2019. The Stars program design is underpinned by this research, along with extensive experience in the field. It seeks to identify the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander girls and the types of school environment, relationships and learning experiences that best promote engagement and positive outcomes.
Stars offers a range of extracurricular activities; including sport and physical activities, art, music and dance. Community, cultural and volunteering activities are also provided to support the girls to build their confidence and give them opportunities for self-reflection and personal growth. The key to the success of the program are our full-time, on-site mentors, who provide our girls with the intensive daily support they need to identify and achieve their goals and reach their full potential.
The program focuses on four key areas of personal development through the Stars Plan:
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Wellbeing
- Education, Training and Employment
- Community, Culture and Leadership
Each Stars student works closely with their mentor to develop a holistic plan to help move toward making active choices about her own future. Stars employ a strengths-based approach with the girls, which is designed to build on their individual abilities, interests and strengths.
