Clontarf News

The Warrnambool Clontarf Academy has hit the ground running to commence term 3, with the boys out and about undertaking a range of different activities across Warrnambool and the broader south west community. Training sessions have been a highlight, both before and after school, and the boys should be commended for the Friday morning 6.30am sessions in particular, braving the elements and low temperatures to start their day off in the right manner with some exercise and a hot breakfast. The boys have also been busy packing firewood at Foodshare, are building really strong connections with East Warrnambool Primary School students in the buddies program, played in the annual South West Community Shield Football Carnival in Heywood and also the Green Laces Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Match against Kings College. With mental health well and truly in the spotlight in our community, the boys have also partaken in workshops facilitated by Headspace and the Resilience Project, both aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge to be resilient, grateful and in a sound state of mental health and wellbeing. Several boys have also started work placements and part time employment this term, building strong links outside of the school environment.

EMPLOYMENT:

Employment has remained a constant focus throughout the term. Kmart and Cheap as Chips have given part time employment opportunities to two Clontarf boys, whilst West Warrnambool Primary School, Bunnings Warehouse, Aquazone and Warrnambool 24-7 gym have provided work placement opportunities for our boys. We thank these local businesses for their support of our program, and it’s fantastic to see some of our senior boys building solid employment links in the community as they look at their options post school. Pictured is one of our boys, Isaac Woodbury, working a shift at McDonalds.

SPORT:

In the midst of July/August it’s been no surprise that temperatures in Warrnambool have plummeted. However, the boys have still attacked their Friday early morning training sessions with plenty of vigour, energy and enthusiasm. The 7am sessions have so far seen the boys train in The Brauer College SIP room, the SPP room at Warrnambool College and at Warrnambool 24/7 gym participating in an altitude session. It wouldn’t be a Clontarf term without some footy, and the year 7/8 boys played in the Annual AFL Victoria South West Shield in Heywood. A highlight of the day was seeing many Clontarf boys bring a mate from school along to play alongside. The boys also played against Kings College, wearing Green Laces to raise awareness for Muscular Dystrophy, a well-known and important cause that many of us would already be familiar with. Both matches were played in terrific spirits, with mateship, enjoyment and fun the overwhelming focus.

LEADERSHIP/EDUCATION:

This term has seen the boys volunteer their time at the Warrnambool Soup Kitchen on Monday evenings. They have assisted the ladies to prepare food for those in need, set up and pack down the room and mingle with the people who attend. The boys have handled themselves beautifully, showing a strong sense of leadership and community. We have also been working closely with the boys to support them in their subject selections for 2020 and our boys continue to work closely with grade 3&4 students from East Warrnambool Primary School to improve their reading and literacy skills.

PARTNERS:

The first half of term has also seen the Clontarf lads assisting weekly with Foodshare Warrnambool. The boys pack wood which is then distributed and sold as firewood at a local business, with the resulting sales being put back into Foodshare. It’s a great opportunity for the boys to contribute to the Warrnambool and South West Community and is something they look forward to doing on a weekly basis, generally receiving a Chocolate bar from Dedy for their assistance!

WELLBEING:

Mental health remains a constant challenge in our society, and young men aren’t immune. This term has seen the Clontarf boys participate in workshops facilitated by Headspace and the Resilience Project. Both workshops have centred around building resilience, being grateful and prioritising mental health and wellbeing. Here, the boys are pictured with Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder and facilitator of the Resilience Project. Several boys have also been receiving health checks through the local Gunditjmara health clinic.

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:

A huge thanks to all teaching, administration and education support staff for all of their support of the Clontarf boys, our program and the Foundation. The strong relationships built between Clontarf and both of our academies at Warrnambool and Brauer College, remains our single most important relationship. Your support, time and investment in these young men is having a hugely positive influence on their lives and future life prospects. We are always looking to improve the program, so please let us know if you see any opportunities to link in with us. As we move into some finer weather next term, we would again love to see some staff members attending our training sessions and strengthening relationships with the boys outside the classroom!

We are looking forward to the second half of term 3.

Timmy Hunt- Operations Officer

Luke McInerney- Director