2021 Indigenous Boarding Awards Presentation
The 3rd National Indigenous Boarding Awards were presented live via Facebook on Wednesday 5 May 2021. This Awards presentation via video acknowledges excellence in 5 categories, including: Exceptional Cultural Connection by a Boarding School or Residence; Exceptional Contribution to the Community by an Indigenous Boarding Student; and Excellence in the Provision of Indigenous Student Health & Wellbeing
Study Away Review
Study Away Review – Review of Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Secondary Students Studying Away From Home.
Examines the issues facing Indigenous students who leave home to access secondary school, considers the role of Commonwealth support and identifies gaps in support and service delivery. Summary findings include better preparation for students and families, including preparation beginning earlier, reducing the complexity of ABSTUDY and ensuring the travel safety of students.
Power of education: From surviving to thriving
Report considers the barriers and circumstances that hinder Indigenous students’ education outcomes. Recommendations include Indigenous Boarding, ie establishing a National Indigenous Boarding Strategy requiring boarding facilities to meet agreed standards for the health, wellbeing and cultural safety of Indigenous students and funding boarding facilities to meet these standards.
Study Away Review
Examines the issues facing Indigenous students who leave home to access secondary school, considers the role of Commonwealth support and identifies gaps in support and service delivery. Summary findings include better preparation for students and families, including preparation beginning earlier, reducing the complexity of ABSTUDY and ensuring the travel safety of students
The Waratah Project – Better Boarding Webinar
This video is a webinar interview with Roslyn Thomas, the AISNSW Lead and several participants from the Waratah project, which brings together a network approach to support schools to improve outcomes for Indigenous students.
Listening to First Nations young people REPORT
A report on two consultations: one with a group of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boarding students from AFL Cape York House; secondly with young adult woman who had been to boarding schools. Key themes around Before, During and After boarding and qualities of good teachers. Includes infographics
Listening to First Nations Young People #4 TEACHERS
One-page storyboard (jpg file) of colour images and text with advice on the good qualities of teachers for remote Indigenous students.
Includes qualities such as: patient, respectful, empathetic towards student experience, engaging with students outside of school and being culturally responsive.
Listening to First Nations Young People #3 AFTER
One-page storyboard (jpg file) of colour images and text with advice for schools to support a remote Indigenous student’s experience of boarding.
Includes advice such as being open to authentic feedback from students, staying connected to ensure new students are supported and being a member of an advisory group to ensure the school is right for Indigenous students.
Listening to First Nations Young People – # 2 DURING
One-page storyboard (jpg file) of colour images and text with advice for schools to support a remote Indigenous student’s first experience during boarding.
Includes advice such as providing a culturally responsible time-out room as a respite space, representation of a student’s culture (rather than a generic Aboriginal culture).
Listening to First Nations Young People – #1 BEFORE
One-page storyboard (jpg file) of colour images and text depicting the journey for remote Indigenous boarding students before arriving at boarding school.
Includes advice for schools on what student and family supports are needed, including teachers visiting community to understand the student’s context and shared expectations.