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Sustainability Report 2015 69
THE ABORIGINAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAM WITH MT LAWLEY SENIOR HIGH
SCHOOL
This scholarship program has been designed to provide
Aboriginal students with a sound academic aptitude and
the opportunity to attend a premier high school in Perth.
Participating students receive encouragement from
teachers to reach graduation and continue on to tertiary
education or vocational study. The program provides
individual learning plans, homework classes, tutors,
access to the adjoining facilities at Edith Cowan University,
cultural excursions and completion of a relevant research
assignment.
Mt Lawley Senior High School Aboriginal Excellence
Program (AEP) students have been strong supporters
of Reconciliation Week Services at the Kings Park War
Memorial since the program commenced in 2011. AEP
students engage in the annual wreath laying ceremony
at the site of the Eternal Flame as a sign of their respect
for the fallen soldiers (pictured below). This special service
required the involvement of the armed services, the
Returned Services League, Department of Veterans’
Affairs, Honouring Indigenous War Graves Inc. and
affiliated Aboriginal organisations.
THE CHALLIS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Challis Primary School, located in Armadale, Perth, is in a
disadvantaged area experiencing a range of social issues.
IGO supports various programs at the school that aim to
encourage social and scholastic development in the crucial
early years of a child’s education. The programs focus on
early childhood development through to constructing a
nature playground and developing a youth leadership
program to encourage leadership skills and effective
decision-making in the older primary students. IGO looks
forward to officially opening the ‘Ultimate Playground’ at the
end of 2015.
TEACH, LEARN, GROW
Teach, Learn, Grow is a volunteer-based tutoring program
that sees university students give up their vacation time
to spend one or two weeks, twice a year, in rural and
remote schools throughout WA. IGO sponsors the ‘Teach
Learn Grow’ team to work with primary school students
in Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie and Boulder as part of its CDAP
in the goldfields. The tutors engage in pre-service training
and work in teams to provide assistance to both teachers
and students. This program has been expanded in 2015 to
include work with East Kalgoorlie Primary School, which
has a 98% Aboriginal student population. IGO continues to
receive positive feedback from all parties involved in the
program.
Challis Primary School students proudly display their Independence
Group shirts at a school assembly
Mt Lawley Senior High School
students attending the 2015
Reconciliation Week service at Kings Park,
Perth, Western Australia
SOCIAL IMPACT