Aboriginal Student Program

Term 1 Wrap Up

Well, what an interesting Term 1 for Trinity College. With the boarders opening, we came face to face with COVID for the first time since the pandemic began. Masks, close contacts, and the closure of the Aboriginal Education Room, became things we all had to just deal with this term.

Despite the COVID issues we have had a very successful term. Homework Club has been well attended on Monday and Tuesdays, Walley’s Wednesdays has been a success and Didge lessons with Mr Olman Walley have started on Thursdays.

To introduce the start of the school year, Whadjuk Noongar Elder, Marie Taylor gave a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony on Noongar country where Trinity College is located. She spoke about the significance of the land on which Trinity situates and emphasised the importance of the boys respecting cultural ways and sharing their culture with the community. Marie also spoke about looking after the places we learn and live in, and mentioned Fanny Balbuk, a Noongar woman who is remembered for being born on Matagarup and protesting the occupation of her home.

During PCG this term we envisaged to have several guest speakers from all walks of life to come in and speak to the boys but due to COVID that was unable to happen. Before the harsh restrictions, we were able to have guest speakers and old boys Jake Ricks and Chilton Yarran ('16). Jake and Chilton both shared their experiences of TC, appreciating the opportunities provided to them by the college and in particular, the Aboriginal program.

At the end of the term, we bid farewell to Jamee Starcevich who is off to finish her prac at St Norbert College and become a full-time teacher. Jamee has been an invaluable asset to the Aboriginal Education Program. She is hardworking, caring, and selfless. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Jamee over the past 2 years, and we wish her all the best in the future! We will hopefully see her back at TC sometime soon. We will welcome Chris Mayne into the Aboriginal Program for the remainder of the year.

This term we have sorted out a number of external learning activities with the senior school boys with three students studying a CERT II in Leadership at ABmusic, and six students currently working in a traineeship. At school we have had a great start to the year with the APA average of 3.94 this term, a significant improvement from the end of 2021!

Looking ahead, next term we have our NAIDOC week celebrations. COVID permitting we will be able to do a dance and didge performance in front of the entire school. We’d love to see everybody there to assist in the celebrations. Next term also sees a change in the uniform, students are expected to wear their blazer, tie, and pants to school. Walley’s Wednesdays will be put on hold indefinitely as Cal goes on prac during Term 2 and 3.

While the Aboriginal Program has had to deal with adversity this term, we are extremely proud of the boys and the way they have flourished throughout such a bizarre term. Hope you all have a safe and lovely Easter from all of the Aboriginal Education Team.