Valedictory and Graduation Celebrations 

Year 12 marks a significant time in the lives of young people throughout Australia. Many of our students’ families have been travelling from afar to attend Valedictory and Graduation celebrations in Melbourne. Congratulations to all MITS Seniors, we are so proud of all that you have achieved. 

Parade College:  

Sam Warrior’s achievements were celebrated with his parents Deanne and Andrew, his Melbourne Mum Emma, and MITS CEO Edward Tudor.  As the top First Nations senior student at Parade College, Sam proudly gave the Acknowledgement of Country and enjoyed the night with his loved ones.  We thank former and current Parade College staff Andy Kuppe, Guy Logan, Jenine Fogarty, Kim Nicholls, Clint Gifford, Tania Camilleri, Simon Hogan, and the amazing Tannah Thorne for your collective unwavering support.  

In November Sam will head to Sydney with Bruce, for a week-long work experience at Kennards Hire. Sam has applied for the ADF Gap Year program in 2025, nominating the Army as his preference. 

Kingswood College:- 

Congratulations to Denise, Pauline, and Rumarlea of Kingswood College for representing yourselves with grace and pride; and being strong women from the communities of Nganmarriyanga, Ramingining, and Derby. Your smiles reflect your courage!   

All the students, teachers and families formed a guard of honour as the students left - It was pretty cool! 

Rumarlea has applied to the local council and will have an interview and be put on the books for work that arises. She is particularly keen to work with animals or on the Ranger program.  Her excellent Coles experience will also provide a reference and potential to work at a local supermarket.  

Pauline will be seeking work in Ramingining, looking to put her talents and skills forward to support her community.  

Denise is in the process of applying to Palumpa School to undertake work alongside her Mum, Salome. 

Siena College:- 

Congratulations to Moni and Debbie-Rose for completing their time at Siena, after commencing there in 2019. 

Moni plans to work at the Barunga School to encourage education pathways for young people, or with her dad’s mining company near Tennant Creek.  Both these options are exciting and require a high level of commitment. Moni will never be far from MITS as she is often seen outside Siena College on a school promotion flag! 

Debbie Rose hopes to work in the Palumpa shop, or at Palumpa school. 

St Kevin’s College:- 

Bruce, Marley, Leo, Adam and Antonio, aka the Fabulous Five!  St Kevin’s have the honour of hosting the largest group of Year 12 MITS Seniors. During their years at St Kevin’s the fellas have been supported and cared for by a wonderful group of host families; Adrian, Fiona and family; Conce, Rohan and family; Marcia, Haydn and family, Ange, Linc and family; and Jane, Brendan and family.  St Kevin’s staff have been by their side, mentoring, teaching during Covid times, and working with their families to grow good men, and we are very grateful for everyone’s support.

After Bruce completes his VCE exams he will do a work experience week in Sydney with Kennards. He has received an early offer for Exercise Science at Australian Catholic University and plans to take a Gap Year in 2025. 

Marley is looking forward to returning home, gaining new driving licence status, working in mining and being close to family after a long time away from W.A.  

Leo and Antonio plan to work in mining, on Antonio’s Dad’s country.  

Adam is unsure, but may return to Melbourne in 2025 to take up an apprenticeship with RAW plumbing  

Trinity Grammar:- 

Antwan Huddleston graduated from Trinity Grammar College.  Over the past five years Antwan has enjoyed his time at Trinity, commenting on the strong sense of community and brotherhood, and the forging of lifelong connections with peers.  And been supported by Vanessa and Chris Johnson, alongside other MITS alumni in their house, Nathan Perrin and the entire teaching team at Trinity Grammar.   In 2025 Antwan plans to return to Melbourne to take up an electrical apprenticeship with SKS Technologies and further his footy aspirations.  

Camberwell Girls Grammar:- 

 Ruby – you have done it, final VCE Exams are done! So much hard work and effort has paid off and as the oldest sibling in your family you deserve to be congratulated for showing leadership and courage.  Ruby has received an early offer of a scholarship to cover her accommodation at Monash, Peninsula campus, where she hopes to study a double degree nursing and midwifery. 

She will continue to work at her Red Rooster job in Melbourne till late November, then head home where she will work locally till Uni commences in 2025! 

Work Experience 

In Term 3, PJ spent time on Melbourne Zoo’s work experience program. PJ was a wealth of information about all the different animals how they train them to be calm so that health checks can be done (and the animal doesn’t need to be tranquilised) – e.g the giraffe will bend its long neck and show its teeth for a check-up! 

The program is prestigious with 180 students applying for 25 positions at the Melbourne Zoo each year, and 25 are accepted. Well done PJ (and Rei for sourcing!) 

Special Events

In Term 3 PJ from Firbank, took Kendyn from St Kevin’s to her school formal and then Kendyn took PJ to his St Kevin’s formal!  

Financial Fitness for Mob

In August we had 2 sessions with 17 senior students and non-resident students/Alumni regarding Money Matters, with Ethan Mulholland. Ethan people are the Gurindji mob and he delivers financial wellness to mob and also to people who are working with mob all over the country. The workbook and My Money Dream website, included videos/case studies from Community covering topics such as saving money (the traps of Uber, on-line shopping, ‘free’ for 1 week subscriptions) humbugging and paying bills. Students said they learnt a lot.

Around the Schools 

Students at Firbank has been working on a beautiful mural - Jody and Laelani who are both commencing at Firbank next year have been working on the project alongside PJ and Sherry, in Year 11 at Firbank. The beautiful design includes totems and different images connecting everyone together. 

St Kevin’s College recent ‘Showcase’ was a celebration of Art and Design, Product Design, and Visual Communication students’ final pieces for the year.  Adam, Antonio, Marley and Leo submitted a photo canvas reflecting personal experiences, and finely crafted wooden pieces. Technical and creative skills are on show as students explore ideas, experiment with new techniques, refine concepts and consolidate their work.  Please enjoy their creations

MITS Graduates News 

Jenae Tipiloura has a commenced a job with TITEB in Darwin. Heading down a similar path to her older sister Latoya. Latoya recently completed her one year Australian Public Service Traineeship, and she will now have multiple opportunities across Australia - congratulations Latoya! 

Kaleb Brogan-Rioli is working across Melville Island, with Sam Warrior’s Dad, Andrew. He is doing grounds management, maintenance of council and community assets and enjoying the range of work, and of course being home! 

MITS Family Newsletter 2024

Respect, Courage, Culture and Care

November · 17 Nov 2024

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