Indigenous Support

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which the College stands, the Wulgurukaba people, and pay our respect to elders, past, present and emerging.

At Ryan Catholic College, students have access to a team of Education and Support Workers to meet the needs of students from Prep to Year 12.

Guided by the TCEO Indigenous Support team, our team of eight staff support all students who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.  We have five Teacher Aides, two Emerging Leaders staff (a Teacher and an Administrative Assistant) who are lead by an Indigenous Education Officer.

HOW DO WE HELP?

Our role is to ensure that our students are engaged with learning and with College activities. Most of our work is in class support and we run programs across Prep to Year 12.  For example :

• Yarning Circle:  Spaces / Garden have been created on both campuses and we gather to yarn once a fortnight by year levels.

•  Indigenous T-shirts:  These were created by artist Gavin Kum Sing and designed by Jack Singh and can be worn by students on days of significance. Staff have another colour version of these T-shirts and can wear them at their convenience.

• Homerooms (Years 7 to 12):  These run at a year level on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday in place of the students regular Homeroom.

• After School Tutoring / Homework Clubs (Years 7 to 12 ):  These run Monday to Thursday from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.

• Participation in external events such as ATSIAP and NQ Constitutional Convention.

• Burara Mentoring Program (started in 2019):  The program, named with the Birigubba language word for “to fly”, invites Years 10, 11 and 12 students to be matched with a Mentor (mostly past students of indigenous descent).  The core aim is to offer one on one mentoring sessions and also includes an event every term for engagement, including a cultural camp and mental health workshops.

• Celebration of National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC with assemblies, cultural activities and Kup Murri lunches.

  Emerging Leaders Program:  All Year 7 to 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are eligible to apply for this program, which offers a fee subsidy and incentive level funding.  See Google site for more details.

Contact details:

Email indigenous@ryan.catholic.edu.au

Pria D'Souza
Indigenous Education Officer
Email pdsouza@ryan.catholic.edu.au

Kirby Smith
Emerging Leaders Co-ordinator
Email ksmith44@ryan.catholic.edu.au