ATSI News

Warraymalaya Retreat

On Friday 15 March permission notes will be available for the annual Warraymalaya Retreat from Mrs Faint.

This year the retreat will take place at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence at Redfern, Sydney from the 9 - 12 April (last week of Term 1) and travel will be via train.

Please note that places are limited to ten only, therefore selection will be awarded on attendance, behaviour and work ethic.

The 2019 Warraymalaya Retreat is aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in Year 8 – 11.  The Retreat has been designed in order for your child to meet and undertake workshops with successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander role models who will focus on being Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander student in our Diocesan Catholic Schools today. It has also been designed to support our students with Higher School Certificate options as well as providing a non-threatening environment for our students to discuss any issues they feel may hinder or enhance their high school education. It is an annual event for the students in Years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. It allows for teachers, AEAs (Aboriginal Education Assistants) and CSO staff to track attending student progress individually and personally. This retreat has been developed in direct response to the ‘Closing the Gap’ targets of Supporting Indigenous Cultures, Education, Employment, Healthy Lives and Safe and Strong Communities.

All further information is outlined in the information package however, if you have any further questions after receiving the package, please do not hesitate to call Mrs Jolene Faint on 02 6761 0800.

Gamilaraay Language and Culture Camp 10-11 April 2019

A wonderful opportunity exists for students in Years 5-11 to attend the Gamilaraay Language and Culture Camp at Lake Keepit from the 10-11 April 2019. The camp aims to inform, strengthen and connect students to language and culture, as well as looking at opportunities to inspire, motivate and challenge students to raise personal levels of academic achievement.

Information can be found in the attached Information Brochure and Expression Of Interest form or alternatively, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Jolene Faint (AEA) on 02 6761 0800.

Please note - this camp will clash with the above CSO annual Warraymalaya Retreat. However, thus far, for the Warraymalaya Retreat, there have only been ten places allocated to McCarthy Indigenous students this year therefore, the Gamilaraay Language and Culture Camp also offers a culturally appropriate and valuable alternative.

Mrs Jolene Faint - Aboriginal Education Assistant