ATSI News

Careers On Country

McCarthy Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Year 9-12 Students attended ‘Careers on Country’ at Trelawney Station just outside of Somerton, NSW. Careers on Country offered a unique opportunity for our Indigenous students. The students were able to interact and engage in conversations, ask questions about careers and employment with different organisations through small group rotations. Thank you to the local Opportunity Hub for organising and coordinating this highly informative event.

Reconciliation Week

This year, the theme is ‘Be Brave. Make Change,’ challenging all Australians to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all. Mentor group activities that students were involved in included Footprint art and Empathy activities.

Community Event - On Monday 30 May, the Opportunity Hub and Bumbira Arts and Culture hosted a Reconciliation Week Fun day at the Youthie. McCarthy, along with other local schools were able to participate in workshops on Dance, Language, Artefacts and Art relating to this year’s theme “Be Brave, Make Change”.

Tahgara Winter Program

Congratulations Jazmyn Pearson & Kelly O’Gorman for their successful application to attend the Tahgara Winter Program. This program offers selected Year 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to participate in preparations for their higher education journey through an intensive weeklong residential program at the University of Sydney during the second week of these school holidays.

SBAT (School Base Traineeship)

Kelly O’Gorman was nominated as a finalist, in the NSW training awards in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student category, Kelly completed her school base trainee program, with valuable paid work experience with Hunter New England Health, while completing a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance and her Year 11 & 12 Studies.

Congratulations Kelly on winning the 2022 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year for the New England Region. We wish Kelly all the best for the next steps involved in the Regional New South Wales Competition.

Sporting Achievements

Throughout the term we have seen many of our students represent the College and Diocese at the Eisteddfod and in various of sporting events. Congratulations to everyone on your achievements.

Statewide Student Panel

Wyatt Allan and Abigail Taggart have been selected and been participating in zoom session through out Term 1 and 2 with other students (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) from around the state. Students will be representing their schools and Diocese as student voices on Aboriginal Education issues. Raising our Voices, Sharing our story - Statewide Student Panel voice will be shared at Catholic Schools Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Education Conference 2022, later in the year.

NAIDOC Assembly

Unfortunately, with the severity of different illness and the impact it has had on staff and students at the college, we have rescheduled our NAIDOC assembly until next term. Dates will be announced and advertised to our College and wider community as soon as possible.

NAIDOC Celebrations

Even though we had to reschedule our NAIDOC assembly. NAIDOC celebrations were in full swing around the College during Week 9 and 10. Students and Staff competed in the Door Art Competition, which took place during our Mentor Group. The basis for the art was this year's theme 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up!'

These artworks were judged by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Council. The Mentor Group that wins will receive a prize! All staff and students were welcome to participate in NAIDOC Celebration activities which included Indigenous Art and a Corroboree supported by Jake from the Opportunity Hub and McCarthy Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Team.