INDIGEE NEWSLETTER SEMESTERSEMESTER 1,1 - 20212021 A WORD FROM THE TEAM

• Continued work towards organising NAIDOC week. • Beyond Broncos sessions will continue. • The next round of Year 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation scholarships will be endorsed during Term 3. I am honoured to work in the area of Indigenous support. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I can be contacted on 4636 7500 or [email protected]. Thanks. Will Curthoys Deputy Principal

Welcome to our first edition of Indigee News for 2021. What a fantastic start to 2021.

Our Indigenous support workers continue to inspire and motivate our students. Rosie Parsons, in her position as Beyond Bronco’s support worker and David Kayira as Centenary Heights State High School Community Education Counsellor. Their work is crucial during this time and I thank them for connecting with families and students. Their work supporting students in and outside of the classroom is second to none.

Our new Indigenous Captains, Bella Bennett- This term I have had the opportunity to step into a Payne and Leroy Dempsey, have been doing counselling and support service role as Community some fantastic work organising aspects of Education Counsellor at CHSHS. With guidance their role for the year. This has included them and direction from Deputy Principal, Mr Curthoys working together to organise groups of students and Beyond Broncos staff member, Rosie Parsons, with lunchtime activities, and working extremely I have been able to meet with our Indigenous hard to organise our NAIDOC activities. The way students to identify their academic, social and that they work together is wonderful to see and emotional support needs. I have worked closely their visions for our school are inspiring. Well with Mr Curthoys to analyse report cards and done, keep up the great work. identify students requiring academic support or extensions.

Centenary Heights is extremely fortunate to now I have also been involved in NAIDOC week planning have a Yarning Circle. This was created this for Term 3, collaborating with Rosie Parsons in term, giving all students a place to meet and organising NAIDOC week events and involving recognise Indigenous Culture within our school. our Indigenous students and community to further The Yarning Circle will be officially opened recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander during NAIDOC week this year. cultures.

A few things to look out for as the year David Kayira continues: Community Education Counsellor Indigenous Captains - 2021

Name: Bellah Bennett-Payne Tribe: Darug, Western Totem: Possum Favourite Bush Tucker: Lemon Myrtle biscuits, kangaroo. Who inspires me: my role models are from footy, school and members within my family inspire me. Strengths: trustworthy, respectful, honest, supporting, passionate towards activities in which I involve myself. What are your proudest achievements? Indigenous Captain leadership role, receiving the 2020 Toowoomba NAIDOC Youth of the Year Award, 2020 BTB Student of the Year Award, Traineeship at Kulila Indigenous Kindergarten, QATSIF scholarship, helping in the community. What would you like to get out of 2021? Encouraging younger students to take on more leadership roles, graduating from Year 12, attending the Formal at the end of the year and working towards my goals.

Name: Leroy Dempsey Tribe: Kalkadoon, Mt Isa Tribal name: Jundalla Favourite Bush Tucker: damper with golden syrup. Who inspires me: my family inspires me as well as football players. Strengths: respectful, confident, honest, mentally strong. What are your proudest achievements? Indigenous Vice-Captain, QATSIF scholarship, ATSIAP Challenge finalist in Brisbane. What would you like to get out of 2021? I would like to encourage younger students to get more involved in school activities and leadership roles, continue my Certificate 3 in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teaching with TAFE and RATEP. YEAR 12 GOLD LEVEL CEREMONY 2021

Bellah Bennett-Payne Ashton Brown Abbigail Glasgow

Aisha Gosden Connor Vayro

Congratulations to our Year 12 Indigenous Students for attaining Gold Level by fulfilling the following criteria:

Achieve to your capacity as a person and a learner Respect the rights of others Uphold our Student Code of Conduct Positively influence others Display co-operative behaviour and attitude Consider your peers and school staff Are willing to provide helpful assistance Have a consistent school attendance record YEAR 12 GOLD LEVEL CEREMONY Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Program 2021 Olivia King, Ruby Robinson, Ryder Robinson, Amelia King, Maddison Bartholomew and Olivia Brown all dedicate their time during first lunch and after school to participate in the 2021 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aspirations Program regional challenge task. Students took on the seven week challenge to work in a team of three to come up with a persuasive speech, a poem, visual art task and creation of a commercial. The top three teams in the region will progress to the State final. A big thank you to Miss Asmus and Ms Gardner for providing the best support and opportunities for our Indigenous students. Good luck to all participants. Rosie Parsons - Broncos Support Worker Toowoomba South Bombers AFL Club Guernsey launched at Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round

This design is inspired by the Murrawari spirit of the designers. It depicts the South Bombers playing, united on the field, each bringing their own strengths to the team. The symbols on the sash unite men with their hunting tools and women with gathering tools, each needing the other. The background reflects the place we all call home, Toowoomba. The design pays tribute to Multuggerah and local aboriginal warriors who united in the battle of One Tree Hill. You see the distinct ranges, volcanic rocks and the infamous Mt Meewah (Table Top).

Designed by Clifford Mitchell Yarning Circle Centenary Heights would like to announce the creation of a new Yarning Circle located near S block with an official opening ceremony to be held in Term 3 during NAIDOC week.

The Yarning Circle provides students and teachers access to one of the oldest classrooms used by our Indigenous people to teach in the past and present. Students will be able to experience a sense of connection, respect and sharing as well as encourage our Indigenous students to continue to practise their culture every day.

The Yarning Circle will allow more events and activities to take place in this space as it will be recognised as an Indigenous area allowing our students to have a sense of belonging within the school environment. Congratulations to Olivia Brown

Olivia has been accepted into the Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy

The Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (the Academy) program is funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and delivered in partnership with CareerTrackers Indigenous Internships.

The program will provide support to students through their high school and university careers. The goal of the Academy is to build a generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander female leaders, role models and game changers in STEM fields.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Centenary Heights State High School Beyond The Broncos students achieved the highest attendance rate for Term 1 of all BTB academies across Queensland, with an average attendance rate of 98.06%. WELL DONE Centenary Heights Beyond the Broncos, this is an amazing achievement - keep up the great work! club wants to celebrate the efforts of our students' achievement and would like to acknowledge your hard work in the internal Brisbane Broncos newsletter.

Rosie Parsons Broncos Support Worker BEYOND THE BRONCOS

Beyond the Broncos would like to welcome Year 7 Indigenous students for 2021. As the number of Indigenous students increase at Centenary SHS, the Year 7 cohort has one of the largest number of students participating in the program. It is good to see the younger students’ eagerness to be involved in the Beyond the Broncos program which encourages our senior students to be great role models and mentors. Over 35 students received a term 1 reward with students working hard to increase their school attendance to achieve personal goals. During term 1 and 2 Beyond the Broncos Ambassadors workshop attendance numbers have increased with students greatly enjoying participating in the activities delivered by our Ambassadors, Scott Prince, , Ali Briginshaw and our newest Ambassadors, and Beryl Friday, Queensland Firebird and Premiership winner. Term 1 workshop: Changing bad habits - Scott Prince and Justin Hodges Term 1 workshop was about noticing everyday habits which could be good or bad. Ambassadors covered the topic of student wellbeing including recognising bad habits and working to change these to good habits. Term 2 workshop: Having a voice (voting) - Scott Prince and Ali Briginshaw Term 2 workshop focused on voting and having a voice, showing students a timeframe of the history of Indigenous people gaining the right to vote. This enabled students to realise that it was not so long ago that Indigenous people were not allowed to vote. After explaining to students how voting polls are counted, they had the opportunity to vote for their favourite Ambassador. All Ambassadors campaigned to receive votes from our students, with the most votes and favourite Ambassador at Centenary Heights being Justin Hodges. Beyond the Broncos will be launching a new career club program for all participants within the Broncos program, giving students an opportunity to seek out career pathways and extra support in employment.

Jacob Robinson and Rueben Tatow will be attending the Beyond The Broncos Leadership Camp for 2021 during the June - July holidays at Cromwell College, University of Queensland.

Rosie Parsons Broncos Support Worker

scholarship holders 2021 QATSIF

Congratulations to the following students who received a QATSIF scholarship for 2021.

Caiden Bartholomew Hailey Robinson Ashton Brown Laidyn Vaughan Leroy Dempsey Esther Ward Jayda Lee Richardson

QATSIF scholarship recipients comply with the following guidelines:

• currently in Year 10 or 11. • intent to undertake and complete his/her Queensland Certificate of Education (* or Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement for students with a verified disability) during the school years 2022-2023 and have the ability and their school's confidence to fully complete their QCE* by Year 12 Graduation. • current school attendance of 85% or more. • under age 35. • currently achieving A-C in English and a C or higher in other subjects in Year 10 or if currently in Year 11 must be “on track” to receive their QCE* by the end of 2023.

Well done to all the recipients. Wishing you all the best for your future. Will Curthoys Deputy Principal

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Bella, Jake, Abby, Laidyn, Charlotte and Ashton are all making good progress with their traineeships and apprenticeships.

Abby and Laidyn have recently increased their work to two days a week - well done to both of you!!

Childcare, Business, Roof Plumbing, Hospitality and Carpentry, all great qualifications on which these students are working.

Keep up the good work and good role-modelling for younger students watching you.

Mandy Robinson Industry Liaison Officer CALM PROGRAM Conservation and Land Management

At the end of last year Amaroo approached a number of Indigenous students giving them the opportunity to complete a Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management. Six students were selected to complete this certificate and attend the CALM program every Thursday. Working with Jane and Paul Carmody, students have the opportunity to not only learn On Country but seek knowledge from the local elders, a wider range of Indigenous community members, the Indigenous ranger and the knowledge of Amaroo staff.

This year is the first time the CALM program has been offered at the school and all our students have demonstrated responsibility and accountability in the environmental education area. The skills and knowledge gained by participating students have enabled them to further their learning in a number of associated areas:

• recognition of various plants and animals • waste management and sustainability • planting trees and treating weeds • operating basic types of machinery and equipment • workplace, health and safety issues • maintaining Indigenous cultural sites

Skills and knowledge gained will give students an opportunity to gain employment in the environmental sector should they wish to pursue this avenue for a career in the future.

Reuben said "learning about my culture engages me in coming to school every day and each week. Our group is getting stronger and supporting each other to get the job done. This helps me be a better man when I’m learning about my culture".