CELEBRATING FIRST NATIONS CULTURE 

High Expectations

AIEF Celebrates 15 Years of Influencing First Nations Educational Outcomes

During the last days of Term 1, two AIEF scholarship students, JJ Parsgaard in Year 10 and Zeljko Warrior in Year 9, both boarders, along with me as special guests, travelled to Canberra to celebrate the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation's 15 years  of supporting the education of our First Nations students.

Our students were given this opportunity through their efforts in AIEF’s If I were PM for a Day Speech Competition. Both were highly commended for the speeches. It was an amazing two days in our national capital. Our students were grateful to have had this experience during their first visit to Canberra.

A highlight was breakfast at Parliament House on Thursday morning with an onstage panel. The panel consisted of three AIEF alumi: Ms Lowanna Moran, a school principal; Australian champion sportswoman, Libby Cook-Black and Wyatt Cook-Revell, a lawyer; as well as a current Year 12 student.  Claire Harvey from the Australian newspaper interviewed those on the panel. We also had the privilege of visiting the Sky News studio in Parliament House.

When asked by the host what was the ingredient that best describes the success of the students, Ms Moran replied, “The attitude and the notion of high expectations from the colleges that our students are placed in.” She went on to say, the colleges “expect students to put effort in and work hard towards being the best versions of themselves. This is the end goal. It was astounding, refreshing and a confirmation for all. This is what we ask here at St Augustine’s. It's what our Principal Mr Glen Seivers believes, and the same view is held by former principals of the College, our Director of Boarding Mr Brett Toombs, our Leadership Team and all our teachers and staff. This is what is in St Augustine’s DNA.

Zeljko and I left Canberra early Friday morning  and had a six-hour stopover in Sydney. While there AIEF invited us to their office where we met staff and were treated to a delicious lunch. JJ remained in Canberra to spend time with his father who travelled from Brisbane. 

We sincerely thank AIEF for this great opportunity they have given our students, and we wish them every success for the future in assisting even more First Nations students to become the best versions of themselves.

Canberra Trip

By Zeljko Warrior and JJ Parsgaard

On Monday 26 March, Mr Carswell and we woke up that morning ready for travel. We suited up in full college attire and left for Cairns Airport. From there we travelled to Canberra via Melbourne. By the time we landed in Melbourne the chilly weather already had Mr Carswell shivering and wearing his beanie. After we got onto the plane to Canberra the day finally caught up with us and we were tired. Once we landed in Canberra with the St Monica’s students, we were surprised to get a late invite to join the CEO and his team from AIEF (Australian Indigenous Education Foundation) for dinner.