Alumni News

Pathways Newsletter

We start our Pathways contribution with a great quote from a feel-good TV series ‘Ted Lasso’. 

"For me, success is not about the wins and losses. It's about helping these young people be the best versions of themselves, on and off the field. And it ain't always easy, but neither is growing up without someone believing in you." Ted Lasso

We are so proud to highlight the achievements, big and small, of MITS alumni in this newsletter and each and every day we all believe in their potential and encourage them to reach for the stars.

Year 11 formal at Kingswood College

On the 23rd of June, Kingswood College held their annual Year 11 Formal. Pauline (right) who is attending Kingswood College attended, accompanied by Rumarlea (left) who is a Year 11 MITS student at Camberwell Girls Grammar. Pauline accompanied Rumarlea to share this experience together.

Look how confident and radiant these two are, with Melbourne all lit up in the background!

NAIDOC week

Star of the Sea College celebrated NAIDOC week in Term 3, back to continue educating their school community around Indigenous culture. Marcia Legg, the Chairperson of the Victorian NAIDOC Committee addressed school assembly, then MITS staff member Allira ran a yarning circle at lunchtime with a group of students. Star had different activities running during the week such as the yarning circle, damper making, craft and dance. 

Work Experience

Year 10 students attend work experience at various times during the year and have some amazing opportunities in various fields including advertising, construction, childcare and many more! Work experience provides a pathway to future work and all that is involved such as planning travel, budgeting, engaging with colleagues and customers, learning new skills, and even finding the best local café. Pictured are Hazel and Leah from Camberwell Girls Grammar School. They are at Fancy Films (thanks to Keryn Nossal and staff, who are wonderful supporters of MITS). The girls learnt all about the behind-the-scenes work in film-making and acting and they gave a great presentation and report! Keryn said “What a joy it was having these girls, so competent and positive and capable!” 

Antonio from St Kevin’s College, and Bruce from Brighton Grammar School also spent time at Fancy Films learning editing skills such as planning, scripting and the filming process. Fancy Films provided a fantastic opportunity for MITS alumni to practice their technical and creative talents. 

Sam Warrior’s VCE Vocational Major journey has taken him to interesting workplaces throughout Melbourne.  Recently he completed work experience at Zenith Interiors in Cheltenham. Disruptions to the train line, and a wee touch of Covid, provided challenges that Sam easily overcame.  Sam enjoyed his time at Zenith Interiors, an Indigenous business that provides commercial furniture to government & corporate organisations. Sam’s favourite part of the experience was observing the design and manufacture of components and learning how to assemble them for clients.

Veterinary work experience:

Rick and Liz Tudor also collected Keira Manning from Jabiru, and Keira had a day of Vet work experience in Gunbalanya during her school holidays. Keira shadowed Liz and learnt all about their annual dog health program. Keira has been nicknamed 'the cat whisperer' as she had 6 cats following her at one stage and Liz said she was an absolute superstar. Keira could not wipe the smile off her face. Thank you Rick and Liz for giving Keira an amazing day of learning and support for her future aspirations!

Career Expo

The Pathways Team organised a mini Career Expo on 27th July at 371 Church St, Richmond. Years 10-12 MITS alumni listened and asked questions, and learnt about different careers. 

Five companies presented, and almost all had Indigenous representatives – a wonderful example for our students. 

Workplace Visit and future Melbourne accommodation

Hi viz vests and hard hats were required when MITS alumni students and staff from Brighton and Firbank Grammar School’s visited the new Footscray Hospital.  Appselec Director Michael Sharpe and apprentice electrician Micah Roe gave a guided tour and outlined the role of an electrician; from planning, installing cabling and generators, and working with construction teams.  Students also met electricians, and a former Tiwi Bombers player, who spoke about their own pathways and the opportunities that are available when qualified. It was also great to see a strong gender mix in the workplace and the support for female ‘tradies.’ and professionals

Students and staff also visited The Killara Foundation’s accommodation in North Melbourne. Dan and Ally provided a tour of the facilities (rooms, gym, quiet spaces) and explained the role of The Killara Foundation in assisting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people to have sustainable employment, providing them with guidance, cultural understanding and housing while they work, or until they are ready to live independently. Students also had the pleasure of meeting a young man from Kununurra, Tyrese, who described his journey to, and in, Melbourne over the last three years. It was invaluable to have another young person’s perspective! 

Luke, Kaleb and Calvin listened intently to Tyrese during the Killara Foundation accommodation visit in North Melbourne. 

Alumni Study Time

The life of a student is busy balancing sport, culture, socialising and study. MITS study time gives alumni the opportunity to further develop core skills, work on assignments, and study for tests. Alumni use a range of resources including online information, texts, practice tests, and it’s great to see alumni getting into their work and achieving through hard work and determination as well as the support from volunteers 

and staff.  Keep up the good work!

Partner School transition visits for MITS Year 8’s

Camberwell Girls Grammar School visit 

for Amarah and Soraya, where they got the chance to join in on the 'Coranderrk on Country' experience with Murrundindi, a Wurundjeri elder. Students spent some time touring the Healesville Sanctuary guided by Murrundindi, and then they walked half a kilometre out of the sanctuary to where his Great Grandmother’s birthing tree is.

To the right is Lily being shown around the year 9 campus at Star of the Sea by Lailani. The pride from both girls to be at Star together was amazing to see!

Alumni Sport                                                                             No Newsletter would be complete without a Sports photo! Here is Lesharnie (left) – best on ground for Richmond Junior Football Club, on 18th June!  

Wins don’t always come easy and sometimes results don’t go your way but the most important thing is that you have grit.  Grit is having the perseverance and passion for long-term goals. It’s about putting effort into challenges, maintaining that effort and interest over years despite failure, adversity, and plateaus in progress. A gritty person approaches achievement as a marathon; their advantage is stamina.

Where Are They Now - News of Alumni after MITS

Here is Johnny at Milingimbi doing some housing work with his uncle. He will head out to Ramingining where he hopes to catch up with Trev (his school mate from the same year at MITS.)

Rick and Liz (on their annual dog health program) in Gunbalanya with Junior Dirdi, who was part of MITS first cohort in 2016. Junior went to Trinity Grammar until Year 10, then O’Loughlin College in Darwin in Year 11. He is now a Sport and Recreation Officer in Gunbalanya.