Page 3529 - Week 11 - Thursday, 24 September 2015
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This year’s report highlights a number of achievements, including an increase of 95 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students since 2014, bringing the total number of Aboriginal students in ACT public schools to 1,663; and a higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieving at or above the NAPLAN national minimum standard for both reading and numeracy in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 compared to the national average. There were 83 students enrolled in year 12 or mature age programs in 2014, a significant increase of 51 per cent from 2013. Of these students, 59 per cent graduated with a year 12 certificate; of those that did not achieve a year 12 certificate, seven have continued their education through 2015.
In 2014, 79 ACT public schools had personalised learning plans in place for the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. These plans take a variety of forms, but fundamental to any successful learning goals or learning strategies is a student’s sense of ownership. This sense of ownership is developed through conversations and effective relationships between students, parents, families and teachers.
Currently there are approximately 170 students involved in the student aspirations programs from year 5 to year 12; this is an increase from 2013. Last year students involved in the student aspirations program participated in activities such as an excursion to the Academy of Interactive Entertainment; a visit to both Wagga and Dubbo Charles Sturt University campuses; a hospitality excursion to the Abbey restaurant and CIT; and UC 4 yourself, an opportunity for students to get a taste of study and life at the University of Canberra.
In December last year the first student aspiration year 5 and 6 leadership day was held at Birrigai. Twenty-one students from ACT public primary schools attended and participated in cultural activities run by Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural and Land Management Services.
The scholarship program for senior secondary students interested in careers in teaching commenced in 2009, and in 2013 the program was extended to include students interested in pursuing a career in health. In 2013 and 2014 panels comprising representatives from the directorate, principals and academics awarded 11 teaching and three health scholarships worth $5,000 to students for commencement in the 2014 and 2015 school years. The 2014 recipients were given a number of leadership opportunities, including assisting with the facilitation of the 2014 years 5 and 6 leadership day at Birrigai.
The Mura achievement awards were introduced last year and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who demonstrate one or more of the following: an excellent attendance record; strong commitment or greatly improved engagement in their learning; good academic progress; and active involvement in the school community and extracurricular activities. Schools nominate students in years 4 to 6, and successful students receive a small bursary to cover educational costs. Bursaries range from $180 for year 4 recipients to $600 to year 10 recipients. Last year there were 62 Mura achievement award recipients; 24 were from ACT public schools.
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