Clontarf Academy

As week 8 dawns on us, it is a great chance to reflect on another busy period for the Warrnambool Clontarf Academy as the end of 2019 draws closer. The term started with several boys actively participating in the ‘Colour Our World Community Art Project’ with Warrnambool City Council in East Warrnambool. Week 2 provided us the opportunity to attend the Annual Victorian Clontarf Cricket Carnival in Melbourne. The highlight of these events is always catching up with other Victorian academies with games played in great spirits. The boys in attendance were also extremely fortunate to receive a tour of Target’s National Headquarters in Melbourne, with two year 9 boys receiving employment following the worksite visit.

The Year 7 Gariwerd end of year camp in the Grampians was also held, with the boys linking up with fellow year 7s from Swan Hill and Mildura for a range of different activities. The weather and environment was perfect, and plenty of swimming and bushwalking was a highpoint of the camp. Another feature of this term was a Cultural Tour of various sacred and historical indigenous sites in the area with Uncle Rob Lowe, who shared many stories and yarns with the boys. This week we also held our night of nights, providing a great chance to celebrate the year and the successes of the boys.

Special mention must go to our two year 12 graduates Rikah Gibia and Jordan Gould and all of our award winners for their achievements this year. Special mention to all staff and community members for their attendance and assistance in making the night happen and enjoyable for all.

EDUCATION:

Congratulations to our 2019 year 12 graduates, Rikah Gibia from Warrnambool College and Jordan Gould from Brauer College. Both boys have prioritised their education and overcome some adversity and obstacles along the way to finish year 12. They both spoke wonderfully at the Awards night and thanked the important people in their lives and loved ones for their constant and continued support throughout the journey, which is just beginning. Well done lads!

SPORT/PARTNERS:

The Annual Victorian Clontarf Cricket Carnival was held earlier this term in Melbourne, at a brand new facility. The new format this year was Indoor cricket and games were played in true Clontarf style against our fellow Victorian Academies from Swan Hill, Bairnsdale, Mildura and Robinvale, where the focus is always on fun, enjoyment and participation. Here, our boys are pictured with some Clontarf partners and alumni at the carnival. The boys are continuing their early morning fitness and training sessions and a special mention to the teachers who have involved themselves so far and participated in some of our sessions!

LEADERSHIP/EDUCATION:

The Warrnambool Clontarf Academy boys played a central part in the Warrnambool City Council project, ‘Colour Our World’. The boys were educated on the differences between art and graffiti and were then involved in the design process of the project, encouraged to bring their own creative flair. They were then given the opportunity to colour a couple of fences at a visible community walkway in East Warrnambool. Well done boys and thanks to the Warrnambool City Council and Local Artist, Ella Webb for the opportunity to be involved. One of our boys, Jomo Mollel-Phillps is pictured here at the site.

EDUCATION/LEADERSHIP:

Clontarf boys really enjoyed a Cultural Day with Uncle Rob Lowe, visiting various indigenous sites around Warrnambool, Kirkstall, Yambuk and Port Fairy. As always, Uncle Rob passed on his wealth of knowledge about several historical sites here in our community, and we thank him for his constant support of Clontarf and generosity of giving up his time for the Academy boys and Kalay girls of Warrnambool College. This picture is taken at The Crags, Yambuk.

A CELEBRATION:

The Clontarf Awards Night is a wonderful night to celebrate the achievements of our young men. Congratulations to all of our award winners, but also to all of our 2019 graduates from year 7-12 who have all had special moments throughout the year. Thanks again to all teaching staff, families, community members, counsellors, partners and other guests for their attendance on the night. Here, the boys who won awards are pictured with local MP, Roma Britnell.

The Clontarf Foundation:

Mission Statement

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate more meaningfully in society.  The Foundation is based around 6 key pillars which form the basis of all of our events and activities:

1. Education                                                                 4. Leadership

2. Employment                                                           5. Well-being

3. Sport                                                                           6. Partnerships

Staff Thank You:

Almost another action-packed term finished in Clontarf, which means another huge thank you to all staff across both of our schools for their continued support of our programme and the Foundation. Clontarf is an educational programme, and schools have and constantly remain our number one partner and most important relationship.

We are both looking forward to the remaining 4 weeks of term.

Timmy Hunt - Operations Officer                               Luke McInerney - Director                                 

0439338236                                                                             0407886712

hunt.timothy.t@edumail.vic.gov.au                             mcinerney.luke.f@edumail.vic.gov.au