Working with Indigenous students

Koori Aspiration Program

Throughout the year, Cecil Hills High School has been working with Wollongong University and their new Koori Aspiration Mentoring Program.  Through the Koori Aspiration Mentoring Program, our Aboriginal students are given the chance to work with Indigenous students from the South Western Sydney Region and University volunteers.

The Koori Aspiration Program strives to connect University students with Indigenous high school students across the South Western Region. The program itself is in its first year and an extension from the worldly known AIME program. Within the new program, students meet with University mentors on three separate occasions. Through these three separate workshops, students focused on their aspirations for the future and the importance of being an individual. This is an aspect of the program that Cecil Hills High School proudly supports and actively takes part in.   

Guided by University mentors  and community educators, our students yarned about current social issues, such as climate change, poverty and how to overcome prejudice Indigenous students can face. Students worked in teams to build confidence, perseverance and resilience.

Our students participated in all activities throughout the day, including STEM projects, law lectures and art workshops. Students shared their hopes for the future whilst breaking through learning barriers, building friendships with other Indigenous students from across the region and most importantly connecting with their spirit animals.

The goal of the Koori Aspiration Program is to engage and motivate students to be the best they can be in their studies and sports. Closing the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students is at the core of the program and what we at Cecil Hills High School proudly support.   

Ms  D Kulevski, Aboriginal Coordinator