Annual Report 2012

TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS’ REGIONAL EDUCATION COUNCIL, INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2012

About Our Council 4 About Our Services 10 About Our Results 22 About Our Future Plans 28

About our COUNCIL Letters of Welcome

Debe gerger wabim, Kapu goeyga nitha mura, format made for robust exchanges of ideas and strategies to address issues. The resolution to TSIREC continues to set the pace as the model support Tagai State College as a nominee school community advocate on Prapa Education and in the Independent Public School initiative rollout Training for Yumi people in the region. It is on highlighted the success of this forum. this note I present the second Annual Report for members’ perusal and the greater public The successful submission is now considered a consumption. significant way point in the journey of education and training for the region. This was made possible Remote as we are, we were not immune to the by a membership with clear goals and a sense of tough economic squeeze felt by many others purpose to advocate for quality services and better across the nation in the last two years. However opportunities for Yumi community. challenging and restrictive this fiscal environment was, we maintained our focus to ensure key areas The sustained vigilance and high visibility within the education and training paradigm were of members is only matched by a collective addressed. conscience to ensure community interest for Yumi peoples are protected. These very same attributes The TSIREC and Tagai State College partnership underpin the TSIREC ethos of active involvement encouraged growth in the Yumi education and genuine engagement of parents and carers in leadership pool by supporting identified the school community. Indigenous teachers to pursue their respective leadership aspirations. Eso for all your efforts and I sincerely hope you enjoy the report. Strait Start services was sustained playing a major role in preparing prospective Tagai Students for school and Iama Kaziw Mudh opened its’ doors as the first licensed childcare facility offering the unique Montessori pedagogy in the early years on Iama. The inaugural Yumi Education Symposium convened in June 2012 introduced a new approach to how TSIREC conducted its business. This new Mr. Lui David TSIREC Chairperson

In 2012 TSIREC provided strong support to our Principal partner - Tagai State College, delivered all planned services in our identified sites and hosted the inaugural YUMI Education Symposium. TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: A 2012 Annual TSIREC bout Our Council

2012 was a year of celebration for TSIREC – the time in which our organisation and the Torres Strait Nation could begin to reap the rewards of our dedicated work.

The past four years have been a period of exciting With a proven record of success and solid evolution for TSIREC. financial position, TSIREC is now in the inevitable position from which it can set a new course – one Founded on its established role as a community- focused again on community-based advocacy based advocacy body, TSIREC has emerged as a and the fulfilment of the Torres Strait’s long-held core education service provider, responding to the aspirations. needs of the Torres Strait Nation. I would like to thank the dedicated people who From this new position, TSIREC has proven the have supported TSIREC during 2012 – our staff, value of government investment in place-based our communities and our government and non- service delivery. Our model of “YUMI services” government partners. Together with our TSIREC – building the capacity of our communities to members, their combined efforts have contributed deliver the services that they need – has been to TSIREC’s wonderful success to date. tested and shown to be robust, flexible and productive. This is evidenced by our performance during the 2012 school year. Through the expanded YUMI Education Support Service, we provided services to over 2,600 Torres Strait Islanders, in 43 locations across Far North Mrs. Katie Denzin Queensland in 2012. YUMI Education Support Services Manager TSIREC Business Manager We also invested heavily in our people – increasing our proportion of full-time employees two fold and continuing our commitment to high quality professional development opportunities.

7 About TSIREC

TSIREC was founded to promote YUMI EDUCATION - a distinct style of service delivery, that recognises the role of community in determining the strategic direction of education and training in the Torres Strait Nation.

Our Vision: Leading and Empowering YUMI to achieve Prapa life pathways

Our Mission: TSIREC advocates for the Torres Strait to have the structure and systems that enable the running of our own affairs in the delivery of education, training and employment services and programs.

The Torres Strait Islander’s Regional Education For over 30 years TSIREC has acted as the essential Council (TSIREC) is a unique entity in Australia. It link between community and government, is a community-based peak body, representing the providing advice at both federal and state levels on interest of the Torres Strait Nation on the agendas of strategic policy development and reform. education, training and employment.

Members of TSIREC seek to promote greater Torres Strait autonomy over education, training and employment by: 1. Acting as a peak advocacy body for the Torres Strait: Elected representatives from every Torres Strait island community make up our membership. The key role played by our members is that of community empowerment and advocacy – both within their community and at a regional level. 2. Facilitating a breadth of locally-managed programs and services: Our service arm – the YUMI Education Support Service – provides direct, place-based services to the Torres Strait. These services include programs spanning from the early years to adulthood. TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: A 2012 Annual TSIREC TSIREC Membership

Name Position Mr. Ned David President

Executive Mr.. John Mosby Vice President Members Mrs. Margie Cowley Secretary Mrs. Betty David Treasurer Mr. Richard Nona Badhulgaw bout Our Council Mrs. Vera Auda Malu Kiyay Mrs. Jessie Pearson Dauan Mr. Arthur Naawi Erub Mr. Allan Repu Mabuygiw Mrs. Rita Kaitap Kubin Mr. Alo Tapim Mer Community Mrs. Katy Uta Kadhego Representatives Mr. Frank Fauid Poruma Ms Iris Billy Warraber Mr. Daniel Bero Ugar Ms. Clara Wapau St Pauls Mrs. Enid Tom Narupay Mr. Dana Ober Waybeni Buway Mrs. Jenny Vellis Sacred Heart

YUMI Education Inc. YUMI Education Inc. was founded through TSIREC’s executive committee in 2012 as an independent not-for-profit Indigenous organisation based at the YUMI Education Support Service Cairns office. It was established with the primary purpose of operating complimentary, government funded programs and services to meet the needs of the community and education, training and employment service providers. It was envisaged that the formation of YUMI Education Inc. would, over time, allow TSIREC to concentrate once again on its community-based education advocacy.

About our SERVICES About our Services

In 2012, TSIREC expanded the delivery YUMI’s “Prapa Pathway Guarantee”: scope of the YUMI Education Support Every child in the Torres Strait is Service (YESS) to better meet the needs of our Torres Strait families. guaranteed a Prapa Pathway from early education to full quality economic YESS was created to be an integrated education service provider, accountable for the facilitation participation. of funded programs aligned with COAG’s agenda of “Closing the Gap” of Indigenous Through YESS, TSIREC offers a suite of services disadvantage. from the early years to Year 12, aimed at Over the past three years, YESS has expanded ensuring all young people in the Torres Strait to meet the needs of the Torres Strait. It is now achieve a “Prapa Pathway” - starting with the operated through a formalized partnership best early years education, moving seamlessly between TSIREC, YUMI Education Inc. and through school, training and/or university study the Department of Education, Training and to secure a quality job. These services include: Employment’s Indigenous Schooling Support Prapa Pathway (Primary and Secondary), Strait Unit (Far North Queensland). Start and IslanderMag.

Cairns-based Services During a community consultation meeting in late 2011, representatives from all Torres Strait communities identified that a key barrier to family engagement with schools is the lack of place- based support in mainland communities. They voiced the need for caregivers to be provided with a neutral service in the major regional centres through which they can liaise directly with schools and service providers. In January 2012, TSIREC opened a YUMI Education Support Service office in Cairns. Working in partnership with existing Thursday Island staff, this office was designed to act as a service liaison hub for families of school-age students in the Torres Strait, and oversee the administration of the organisation and its projects. The opening of a Cairns office facilitated the launching of two additional services for Torres Strait families in 2012: Prapa Pathway Primary and Prapa Pathway Secondary. TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: A 2012 Annual TSIREC YESS Services

Delivery Area YESS Service Strait Start Strait START Iama Migi Kaziw Mudh*

Prapa Pathways Primary Strait SMART Prapa Pathways Secondary

Informed Choices Strait STRONG

IslanderMag bout Our Services

* Services delivered under YUMI Education Inc.

Prapa Pathway: Secondary The Prapa Pathway: Secondary service was developed to ensure that secondary school-aged students are provided with support they require when relocating from their home communities of the Torres Strait to attend high school outside of the region. The service focuses on building the capacity of Prapa Pathway: Primary families, communities, boarding colleges and The Prapa Pathway: Primary service was developed schools to better support the unique transition to test a new approach to supporting families of needs and aspirations of students living away from primary school-aged children relocating to or from their home in the Torres Strait to attend secondary the Torres Strait region, either on a temporary or school. permanent basis. The Prapa Pathway: Secondary service aims to The service partners with five key primary schools: deliver quality support services that leads to Tagai State College, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, improved attendance, attainment and retention of Cairns West State School, Parramatta Park State students from the Torres Strait. School and Balaclava State School. Through a case management approach, the Prapa Through a case management approach, the Prapa Pathway: Secondary service supports families Pathway: Primary service is aimed at combating of students in Years 7 - 12 in the region who are the negative impacts commonly associated with boarding to attend secondary school by: enrolment mobility, by: • Facilitating communication and information • Facilitating communication and information sharing processes between families, schools sharing processes between schools and key government agencies to support • Directly engaging with families to ensure preparations for school transition seamless enrolment (and attendance) directly • Directly engaging with students to support before and after relocation their transition from home to living and • Promoting parent and community awareness attending school in new and unfamiliar of the impact of mobility contexts • Promoting school staff awareness • Partnering with families, schools and key of the impact of mobility government agencies to best address the individual needs and aspirations of students from the Torres Strait 13 About Strait Start YUMI Education Inc.

Since 2009, TSIREC has delivered by a Montessori approach to early years quality early years education services education - based on an understanding of the to families of children aged from birth ways children develop and recognition of the fundamental role that families and communities to four years in communities across the play as the first teachers of young children communities of the Torres Strait. As a direct result of the success of the Strait Start Initiated as a trial on Thursday Island and Badu, project over the past four years, Commonwealth the program quickly expanded to include five funding was extended for an additional 12 additional communities in 2010: Poruma, Iama, month period, until the end of 2013. In Kubin, Malu Kiyai and Erub. addition, the Torres Strait Regional Authority also announced in late 2012 that it would support the Branded as “Strait Start”, these services are expansion of the program to at least four more unique to the Torres Strait. They are characterised communities in 2013.

Evidence of Success Early conclusions drawn from the developing research base tracking the impact of Strait Start Services all indicate the significant benefits of the program. In 2012, school-readiness testing of pre-prep students on Thursday Island demonstrated that students that had attended Strait Start in the year prior to starting school (2011) achieved higher scores across almost all learning domains, compared with their peers. Indeed, the average scores for these students were over four aggregate points higher than those that didn’t attend Strait Start. Measured through the self-reporting of parents, the research has found: • An observable increase in young children’s independence and skills • Young children enjoy the program - demonstrating a love of learning and eagerness to be attend each morning • A transfer of parents’ knowledge and skills from the program to home • Positive changes in parents’ interactions and behaviours with their children TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: About Our Services 11/04/12 6:52 PM 15 is is...

Emotional development recognise and react to the feelings of other people the ability to recognise and express his own feelings your child discovering other people learning how to accept and be accepted by others Once your child has a secure attachment with you he will feel safe with other people and will be better able to develop a relationship with them lack of bonding with your child in the early A months and years can lead to difficulties in social development and your child not being able to building attachments to people Having an emotional connection with your child means being able to have a conversation with each other without words In order to love others your child must first be able to love himself, self-esteem is essential for this, this will develop if you take an interest in him • • Social development relationship with your child Your is the foundation for his social development • • • • 11/04/12 6:46 PM What your Newborn Needs What your Newborn Social & Emotional Development this Your baby from birth to 5 months baby from birth to 5 Your noise. at infection Social and Emotional Development .indd 1 concentrate even ear to background mouth order in free undiagnosed a out to to on constant not the her an front as lie as or as in, in noise on needs needs his day, this floor as move doctor baby comfortable a to the every

block to television on your feel to coordination) position easy time the as development) child mat hard a hand and have your doesn’t tummy and standing or work soft dummy floor, muscles she a or to take give are the time or (big (finger on have and baby he the that sitting if a will earache, all time your back in an of on baby clothes brain give fine-motor music development baby in flat to plenty with

suspect play baby’s not before place baby motor baby you baby floor may lead to future hearing problems Your young age to be able to make lots of sounds and practise future language skills occur big muscles need to be strong and coordinated stiff jeans the of a mirror is ideal begin with back and legs aren’t strong enough yet Language • talk and sing often to your baby and let him or her see your mouth move • read books with one to two words per page progressing to short stories • don’t • if • Try • place • dress • don’t • Gross • give Helping Your baby: 0 to 5 months Movement Your baby from birth to 5 months Your 11/04/12 6:45 PM birth to 5 months .indd 1 he if such start stairs, sometimes to normal is games it down surroundings still hands his is and While his It playing or ‘tree’ up by make use soon. walk to but develop. to to this want skill awareness do learn mouth move to learn language. words, pages with 1 or 2 words and simple stories for e.g. ‘plant’ they can cause language delays sometime will to Language • Children will say 1 word on average around the age of 1 • Speak to your child a lot. He needs to see the speaker’s • books to your child - mix it up with books with no Read • If your child takes an interest in anything give him the name, • If your child has an ear infection take him to the doctor - will body great a

him is child child walking Allow develop be your injury your will child year

things. without walking, this your child doesn’t walk before 16 months - as long as he is up and cruising. as head, shoulders, knees and toes hard for parents, children need to learn how to catch themselves as safe as possible hills and run carrying Movement • Your • Let your child walk barefoot for as long and as often as possible • Once • Falling • Over • Help Helping Your Child: 12 to 24 months 12 to 24 months.indd 1 Culturally appropriate resources Culturally released Start program During 2012, the Strait for print resources relevant of culturally a range development. on early years primary caregivers as eating, independence, topics such Covering setting limited and language development, the also been adopted by have these resources Queensland Health maternal and child region’s health specialists. also was resource A complimentary DVD during 2012 – aimed at capturing developed of in visual and audio mediums key principles is due for DVD This development. early years release in mid 2013. culture of the Torres Strait Torres culture of the Holistic Learning Curriculum Holistic for with a wider focus designed Start was Strait skills readiness” “school developing services than program TSIREC’s children. in young and knowledge key focused on all activities learning provides - including language, physical domains developmental are also They development. and social health, cultural island contemporary in a manner that reflects delivered protocols and priorities. cultural of in the formalization TSIREC invested During 2012, resulting Developmental The Start curriculum. the Strait support materials were Guide and professional with expert child in consultation developed and local providers service practitioners, development both national and reflects community representatives and the unique languages and learning frameworks Graduate Success In March 2012, five Torres Strait Islanders graduated from the AMI Diploma of Montessori Education Assistants to Infancy. Strait Start Coordinators Wariba Seriat (Badu), Simah Banu (TI), Annie Baragud (Iama) & Fiona Elisala (Kubin) celebrated with fellow student Chloe Bon (TI) in the Sydney ceremony. The graduation marked the end of an intense 12 month course for the students, which included: • 18 weeks block course work • 250hrs of child observations

These graudates are now internationally recognised as Montessori practicitioners.

Employment & development of local Coordinators

The employment and professional development of a local early years workforce continues to underpin the design and delivery of Strait Start. Over the past four years, nine local Torres Strait Islanders have been engaged as Service Coordinators and provided access to an extensive professional development program, including: • Regular site visits by expert mentors of Montessori Education • Induction training (Montessori Assistant Course) • An online learning platform • Annual collective peer workshops (Strait Start Coordinators Conferences) • Annual national professional conferences (Montessori Refresher & Conference) • Nationally-accredited training (Certificate III of Children Services • Internationally-accredited training (AMI Diploma of Montessori Education Assistants to Infancy) TSIREC’s ongoing commitment to developing the local early years workforce in the Torres Strait has not only increased the economic engagement of Torres Strait Islanders in the region, but improved the quality of the services being provided. Locally employed staff bring to the role their expertise of the local community – its culture, language and family structures. 16 About Informed Choices

The Commonwealth funded “Supporting resources were published and distributed by Informed Choices” project was designed TSIREC members and staff across the Torres Strait to increase the knowledge-base of and Cairns Region. parents, families and Torres Strait Additional resources were also drafted during communities regarding school-based 2012, including guides to the senior phase of education and training service options learning and school selection, and plan to be distributed in 2013. available to secondary school-aged young people. PLACE: Core to the Supporting Informed Choices project was the provision of annual Education With 2012 being the final year of this three-year Information Sessions in every Torres Strait outer project, TSIREC’s activities focused on developing island community. These sessions were aimed at sustainable resources for families through three key providing parents and families the opportunity mediums – people, print and place. to directly connect service and support program PEOPLE: The project funded the establishment of providers. the Prapa Pathway: Secondary service in Cairns Over the three years of the project, TSIREC hosted with YUMI Education Support Service. During over 36 individual community-based forums. These 2012, this role provided a link for families of events, which ranged from general information secondary school aged young people attending sessions to University Aspirations Expos, included school in Cairns with schools and support services. representatives from Centrelink, Indigenous PRINT: The project facilitated the development Schooling Support Unit, Tagai State College, Canon of culturally relevant guidebooks and other print Boggo Pilot Hostel, Kaziw Meta College, YUMI resources for families on secondary education Education Support Service, Tagai State College and programs, services and related support programs. Djarragun College. Covering topics such as enrolment, suspension, identification and transition to high school, these

Mina Big Zoeni is bought to you by TSIREC & Transition Support Service (TSS)

For more infromation please contact Printed Flyers & Guide Books YUMI Education Support Service Thursday Island Office 31 Hargrave Street PO Box 546 Thursday Island, Qld, 4875 Phone: 07 4212 0333 Fax: 07 4069 1771 For more infromation please contact Cairns Office YUMI Education Support ServiceMINA BIG ZOENI 247 McLeod Street Supporting families prepare for High School PO Box 1014 North Cairns, Qld, 4870 Thursday Island Office Phone: 07 4046 9200 31 Hargrave Street Fax 07 4051 6727 Email: [email protected] PO Box 546 Thursday Island, Qld, 4875 Pamle… Phone: 07 4212 0333 Sa ne pikinini blo u gor por school ebri day... Fax: 07 4069 1771 CAN YOU Cairns Office • Mite u pikinini b gud accident lor school NOR POR MEKEM WANEM POR MEKEM EBRI DAY E COUNT 247 McLeod Street PROVE WHO YOU ARE? Uniporm e da te Mutha wear nutha clos & sa • Pikinini blo u b gor school • Mite u pikinini e inside lor sick bay PO Box 1014 ne note gor por school lor today ah? North Cairns, Qld, 4870 A guide on how to obtain identity documents pikinini • Te sa blo u pikinini mite gor wande ring up gor • Ip u sa ne pikinini blo u gor por u MINA BIG ZOENIPhone: 07 4046 9200 Nor b meke homework Meke time ebri night por si por school ebri day e gor Supporting families prepare for High School Fax 07 4051 6727 down lor pikinini ane help help e dempla dis kine time • School gor sa ne report card gor ouse two Email: [email protected] Ebri time u gud nu pon numba e dempla ane meke puture blo dem- times ebri year ane address u mus spik por pla stret. Nor like te sa blo u Tok por YUMI Education school Attendanceso long dempla gud ol upe MINA important.. to date detail por pamle blo u. Kese school late our Paik up ol bag night time Wanem Por Mekem When... ane set e ol alarm clock School mite gor look roun u por

dis kine something... Can you prove ID.indd 2-3 16/5/12 11:02:55 AM Nor gud kaikai or bukere Ring up gor por school or DEM THING E APPEN WANEM POR MEKEM CONTACT MIPLA por kaikai YUMI Education por spik Kese school late our Sa ne note gor por school Primary Case Manager mipla Get Involved!Ph: 07 4046 9200 lor pikinini ReneePh: See 07 Kee 4046 9200 Unexpected absence Ring up gor por school or P: (07) 4046 9203 or Email: [email protected] Wen upla meke time por ol Ask e dempla lor school or YUMI (eg. Sick) YUMI Education or sa ne something lor school e gor gud note gor lor pikinini next Education wis kine u ane ol pamle blo u Secondary Case Managers positive impact lor education blo day can help out lor school: Samantha Sabatino u pikinini. Expected absence Tok por school or YUMI P: (07) 4046 9206 or Email: • Help inside lor tuckshop MBZ - Guide for Families.indd 2-3(eg. Travel, Funeral) Education por let e mipla 15/05/12 12:46 PM [email protected] know bepor e time por • Zoin e P&C Committee travel gor John Mosby • Share cultural knowledge blo u Long-term absence Ring up por YUMI P: (07) 4046 9201 or Email: • Zoin e Ready Reader Program (eg. Gor Cairns por person- Education por enrol e piki- [email protected] al/medical reasons) nini lor school wer Cairns • Help inside lor classroom Pikinini blo u nor wande Ring up gor por school or gor por school por YUMI Education

Ph: 07 4046 9200 About our Other Activities

For over a decade, TSIREC has been recognised by Government as the peak regional representative body on strategic education policy development. Aspirations of Torres Strait Since 2006, the Commonwealth and Queensland Communities Governments have been signatories to consecutive In order to achieve its vision of a Prapa Memorandum of Understandings. These agreements Pathway for all young people of the Torres were established to formalise arrangements for the Strait, communities have articulated a engagement of united set of objectives related to education, community in the training and employment. design of government education policy. In These objectives fall under five broad areas: practice, they have 1. Early years education programs enabled Governments to develop local 2. Supportive schooling services solutions that align 3. Training & employment pathways with the aspirations of the Torres Strait 4. Cultural recognition communities and 5. Torres Strait governance and better reflect the educational leadership unique geographical and cultural context of the Torres Strait. It is only by coordinated efforts 2012 marked the conclusion of the current “Education, between communities, government Training and Employment for the Torres Strait and independent service providers Region – Memorandum of Understanding 2010- 2012”. Over the past three years, this agreement that TSIREC’s vision for its people facilitated the establishment of numerous productive can be realised - and our children are partnerships between signatories and other key provided with a Strait START, to get stakeholders, resulting in significant progress being made in achieving the Government’s priorities and the Strait SMART, to be Strait STRONG. aspirations of the Torres Strait. TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: About Our Services

19 Hotel Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Resort Cove Palm Rockford Novotel Hotel Tuesday 12th - Friday 15th June, 2012 12th - Friday Tuesday YUMI Education Symposium Key Key Note Address people and communities must play in shaping people and communities must play and practice” education policy independent agenda in achieving York Cape “The state-based education services” over governance core issues that face contemporary, “The Islander students and the Strait Torres Aboriginal & service them” that schools opportunities that a focus on quality early “The Aboriginal & provide may development years communities” Islander Strait Torres language of the national traditional overview “An & culture agenda” “The role of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strait Torres Aboriginal & role of “The

Prof. Oberklaid AOM, MD, FRACP FRACP MD, AOM, Prof. Oberklaid of Melbourne University Stacey Campton Australia, Department of Regional Arts and Sport Local Government, Prof. Mark Rose Deakin University Ahmat Richie Partnerships Cape York Buckskin Prof. Peter Australia of South University Independent School Governance Governance Independent School schooling while maintaining accountability to the funding body for the delivery for the delivery maintaining accountability to the funding body while schooling TSIREC will release its position on the region’s of agreed outcomes. During 2013, to the State and Commonwealth Governments. preferred model of governance Under the Queensland State Government’s Independent Public Schools, from 2013 Tagai State Tagai from 2013 Independent Public Schools, Under the Queensland State Government’s Principal State College Executive Tagai The council. of a school on the advice College will operate with a direct line of communication and accountability of autonomy, will also assume a greater level North Queensland regional structure. the Far – bypassing to the Director-General TSIREC will continue to advocate Allens Consulting, Plus Consulting and support of Pacific the With of from existing systems in the operation that affords full autonomy for a model of governance In 2012, TSIREC supported Tagai State College’s successful application to become one of successful application to become State College’s Tagai TSIREC supported In 2012, as a positive TSIREC is considered This achievement first Independent Public Schools. Queensland’s for self-management of long-held aspiration Nation’s Strait Torres the achieving step towards services. education and training Recognition of culture traditional secondary schooling secondary schooling Workforce Teacher education Early years Speaker Governance Schooling Quality support for Bringing together leaders, celebrated academics and practitioners with academics and practitioners celebrated Bringing together leaders, the symposium representatives, government key State and Federal explore evidence-based practice, current a forum to challenge provided for direct action. and long term strategies and identify short approaches discussion on five TSIREC members sought informed the forum, Through policy: of education and training fundamental areas In June 2012 TSIREC held the first “YUMI Symposium”. Conceived as Conceived first “YUMI Symposium”. TSIREC held the 2012 In June Education Regional biannual the organisation’s format for an alternative independent, designed to introduce it was Roundtable, Training and Government negotiations with TSIREC’s to discussions evidenced-based Strait. Torres priorities of the training on the education and YUMI Symposium YUMI In 2011, TSIREC launched IslanderMag, the Torres Strait’s first ever lifestyle magazine. This bi-monthly publication aims to celebrate what it means to be connected to the Torres Strait in 21st Century. It is a down-to-earth, how-to lifestyle magazine for the Torres Strait, appealing to an Islanders’ unique sense of connectiveness to the region – its people, place and culture - regardless of where they live. Throughout 2012, IslanderMag continued to put an Islander spin on all the elements of a well-lived life, from language, culture, land & sea to food, health, education, sport, work and finance. It used the Islander identity to communicate positive messages – using local images, people and places. Highlights from 2012 publications included the celebration of the publication’s first birthday and a commemoration of the 20 years anniversary of the Mabo Native Title High Court decision. IslanderMag works to inspire its readers to make a positive change for themselves, their family, their home and their culture. islander islander islander MAGAZINE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE Fishing in the Strait Patrick Mills LOCALS’ TIPS TO BETTER TRAILBLAZER FISHING & BOATING Jeremiah Fauid A PORUMA PRODIGY Unbreakable ISLANDERS BEAT THE RAIL- LAYING RECORD IN 1968 Spring Beauty Eat Well to Ailan Style Stay Well HAIR & MAKE-UP TIPS FLU FIGHTING FOODS The Masks & Brewed MAGAN Torres Strait the Magic CELEBRATION OF A NATION The Half Plate Rule Are you getting ALICK TIPOTI Awakening WARRIOR YOUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY EATING enough...? COFFEE FRIEND OR FOE? SAM THAIDAY HOW MUCH SLEEP DOES YOUR FAMILY NEED? Zulay Wan 140 YEARS IN THE LIGHT

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About our RESULTS About our Results

Strategic Plan Score Card In 2010, TSIREC released a three-year strategic plan. Entitled “By 2013”, this plan established TSIREC’s vision for the Torres Strait Nation to achieve STRATEGICBy 2013 PLAN 2010-2012 increased independence in the management of education and services in the region. By 2013...the Torres Strait will have a structure and system that enables the running of our affairs in the delivery of education and training services The plan also identified three areas of focused action and established performance targets for TSIREC members and services. The following table provides a score-card of TSIREC’s progress at achieving these targets by 2013:

Key Actions Destination Targets Score Card IN PROGRESS: TSIREC will advocate for the Torres By 2013… the Torres Strait will Independent Public School Strait to have structures and systems have a structure and system that Self status for Tagai State that enables the running of our own enables the running of our own Governance College. Position Paper affairs in the delivery of education affairs in the delivery of education for government under and training services and programs and training services and programs development ACHIEVED: TSIREC will develop a business By 2013…the TSIREC council Investments maintained Financial model that increases its will have the capacity to operate to ensure medium-term Independence independence from recurrent independently from recurrent viability, independent of government funding. government funding government funding. Through the Yumi Education ACHIEVED: Support Service, TSIREC will By 2013… the Torres Strait will be Through YESS, TSIREC provide a suite of services from the delivering a suite of high-quality provides place-based YUMI Services early years to post-school to ensure education services from the early services for families of families and young people of the years to post-school to ensure all children from birth through Torres Strait are empowered to young people to Year 12. achieve Prapa life pathways TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: A 2012 Annual TSIREC Income Sources In 2012, 8% of TSIREC income was generated through independent sources. The majority of revenue was received from project-specific Commonwealth Grants.

Other Income bout Our Results

IslanderMag Income

Commonweatlh Funding

State Government Funding

Expenditure In line with grant service agreements, the majority of TSIREC expenditure was tied to the delivery of projects - including Strait Start & Informed Choices.

IslanderMag

YESS Operations

Informed Choices

Strait Start

Council Operations

25 Grant Revenue Grant Revenue in 2012 remained consistent with 2011 figures. While total is less than the amount received in 2010, it continues at a rate significantly higher than pre-2009 figures.

2000000 State Government Funding Commonweatlh Funding 1500000

1000000

500000

0 2008 2010 2011 2012

Employment The TSIREC workforce grew dramatically in 2012 as a result of the opening of the Cairns YUMI Education Support Service office. This provided TSIREC the opportunty to engage more full-time employees while maintaining the part-time Strait Start workforce. 25 Casual 20 Part Time Full Time 15

0 2008 2010 2011 2012

Service Delivery During 2012, TSIREC delivered more services than ever before. As opposed to 2010 figures - which included Cairns and Cape early years services, all services in 2012 were provided to families from the Torres Strait. 3000 Students/Children 2500 Parents/Caregivers 2000 1500 1000 500 0 2009 2010 2011 2012 Service Delivery by Delivery Area Report: A 2012 Annual TSIREC The opening of the Cairns YUMI Education Support Service office provided TSIREC the opportunity to broaden the scope of services provided to families from the Torres Strait Islands. 2000 School Support Parent Education 1500 Early Years 1000 bout Our Results 500

0 2009 2010 2011 2012

Service Delivery by Locations In addition to broadening the scope of services, TSIREC also dramatically increased the number of locations from which families from the Torres Strait Islands could access support.

0 2009 2010 2011 2012

Service Delivery by Service Type All services delivered by TSIREC in 2012 directly engaged with families and/or children from the Torres Strait. In total, almost 1,700 individuals were provided with direct support from our staff. 800 Informed Choices 700 Prapa Pathway - Secondary 600 500 Prapa Pathway - Primary 400 Strait Start 300 200 100 0 2727 Parents/Caregivers Students/Children

About our FUTURE PLANS Looking Forward 2013 - 2015

2013 marks a new era for the Torres Strait Islanders’ Regional Education Council, with the release of a new mission statement and strategic plan. While TSIREC will continue to support the provision of services through YUMI Education Support Service, members look forward with a renewed focus on core advocacy responsibilities.

TSIREC’s Aspirations for 2015 TSIREC members have clearly articulated their collective objectives for education training and employment services in the region: In 2015… 1. Primary schools and communities in the region are satisfied with the government’s response following the move of Year 7 to secondary school 2. A government funded transition services school is in place to adequately support secondary school aged students moving away from the region 3. Student residential facilities on Thursday Island are managed by Tagai State College 4. Increased student residential facilities will be available on Thursday Island 5. Increased early years education services will be offered in Torres Strait communities, through a partnership between Tagai State College and TSIREC

To realise these their aspirations by 2015, TSIREC members will work across all levels – from individual community engagement to national policy negotiations – to advocate for: 1. Improved education, training and employment service delivery 2. Improved education, training and employment service outcome 3. Improved education, training and employment service governance 4. Broadening of TSIREC’s capacity TSIREC 2012 Annual Report: A 2012 Annual TSIREC

TSIREC’s Mission for 2015

TSIREC leads the Torres Strait Nation towards providing a

YUMI Education - a distinct style of service delivery, which bout Our Future Plans is accountable for delivering national standard learning outcomes, and recognises the role of community in determining the strategic direction of education & training.

31 TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS’ REGIONAL EDUCATION COUNCIL, INC.

Cairns Office 247 McLeod Street PO Box 1014 Cairns North. Queensland. 4870 Thursday Island Office 31 Hargraves Street PO Box 546 Thursday Island. Queensland. 4870 www.tsirec.com.au