As a senior student at Cardijn College, Heath Anderson sees himself as a mentor and leader.
The Aboriginal Year 12 student, who was born in Alice Springs, is hoping to forge a career in helping people with learning difficulties. “I want to do disability work, kind of like mentoring, or something relating to that because I’m very interested (in that),” Heath, 18, says. “Some of the kids at school see me as a role model and that’s why I thought I could do mentoring.”
His focus this year will be on completing the SACE at the Noarlunga Downs school. Last year, 96 per cent of Aboriginal students in Catholic schools in South Australia completed the SACE.
Heath says the school supports him with his work schedule. “I do struggle with a lot of work at the moment,” he says.
“Getting all of that work in on time is a bit difficult. School gives me that extra push and that extra support and it’s really helpful.”
Over the years, Heath took part in several Catholic Education events for Aboriginal students. He says the events helped him to be proud of his cultural identity and enhance his leadership skills.
Cardijn College indigenous education coordinator Tom Morris says the school supports Aboriginal students through developing a relationship between the pupil and their family.
“That tells us where they are at and from there we try to support them with an individual learning plan so we can meet their needs as much as possible,” Mr Morris says. “We also make it a welcoming school for indigenous people and one way of doing that is acknowledging the Kaurna people at official events.
“We do have ex-students who are invited back to do Welcome to Country and we are in the process of building an indigenous garden so students can get in touch with Kaurna culture.”
Catholic Education South Australia senior education adviser Dr Roma Aloisi says the organisation’s leadership programs improve student outcomes and give participants opportunities to engage with Aboriginal mentors, elders and peers.
This content was originally published in Advertiser feature on May 6 2017
- available online at www.newsaustralia-sa.com.au/catholic-schools/
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