ATSI

The St Philomena’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Team are delighted to have a page in our fortnightly newsletter dedicated to learning and sharing news and events with our wonderful school community. 

Our team is led by Aboriginal Educational Assistants (AEAs), Shirley Johnson and Patrick Marshall. They are supported by Cathy Downes (Assistant Principal), Hanne Pedersen (ATSI Focus Teacher) and Simone Lysaght (Administration). On a CSO level, we work with Sharon Cooke who leads Aboriginal Education across the diocese.

Patrick is new to our school this year and brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He has studied the Gamilaraay language and we can’t wait for him to begin sharing it in the classrooms with our students.

The first CSO Wii Gaay Learning Hub for 2021 will be at Echidna Gully from Monday 8 through to Thursday 11 March. We wish Year 5 student, Jaydah Duncan, all the best as she prepares for and engages with this program. 

We are hoping to gather with parents and carers many times this year, mostly in small groups, to get your input into ‘how we are going’ at St Philomena’s.  We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on our future plans. 

Last week, Shirley and Patrick met with a small group of parents who have sat through our ‘Brighter Futures Plan’ meetings three or more times in the past. Due to Covid restrictions, this could only be a small gathering, however, we aim to hold others in the near future. We are hoping to launch our new Brighter Future Plans (BFPs) before the end of Term 1. Thank you for your patience while we work through this process.

Year 10 Opportunities (information has been emailed and sent home with Year 10 students). For further information, contact Shirley or Patrick

• Parent and Student Meeting Monday 1st June @ 12.30pm at St Philomena's with Natalie Tighe from AES to discuss post -Year 10 apprenticeship options.
• NSW Department of Customer school based traineeship meeting at St Philomena's Tuesday 9th March 11am (parents and students welcome)
• Indigenous Australian Engineering School hosted by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Sydney. Applications close May 5th for the 4-10 July school. The IAES program is fully sponsored with all activities, accommodation, flights and meals covered by Engineering Aid Australia and the University of Sydney. The week-long program will involve site visits to key Sydney locations, curriculum exercises and participation in cultural activities. Further highlights include networking opportunities with engineering industry representatives and recreational activities on Sydney Harbour.

Also coming soon...

Interested students from Years 5 - 10 will visit the Yaama Ganu Gallery to view the Kala Pulka Ngura: Big Colour Country exhibition. Further information to follow.