Cultural and Academic Immersion

All the people involved with the High School Program have made a major impact on my granddaughter’s life, with the teachings of culture and inspiration to aim high

Grandparent of High School Program Participant

I learnt stories that helped me further understand the origins and reasons for my culture. I can now explain these stories to others.

HSP student

It gave me a sense of belonging and it was very calming for me

HSP student

Our curriculum

The Program elevates Aboriginal knowledge and perspectives in the design and implementation of our student-centred approach.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing are the cornerstone of how Indigenous students and their families engage in learning, and this is reflected in the Program’s structure and the design of the curriculum. A key objective of the Program is to change the narrative about Indigenous education to one of high expectations and possibilities. It is premised on the understanding that students who have a strong sense of self and cultural identity possess the capacity to take ownership and drive their own learning.

Our immersion activities

The Academic Cultural Enrichment Activities occur throughout each year and include the delivery of family engagement days and camps. The activities occur over the weekend or during the school holidays.

Camps

Our Academic enrichment camps occur up to three times per year during the school holidays and the students attend with Elders and Mentors who deliver the activities. Each activity or camp has a theme that aligns with the student’s journey to becoming a young adult. For example, Year 8 students explore themes of relationship, journey and challenge, Year 9 students discuss themes of agency, conflict and power, and Year 10 students consider themes around integrity, change and potential.

We use project-based learning underpinned by cultural values and processes to explore each theme through current day issues. Elders spend time with students passing on their knowledge and learnings, from Dreaming stories, to weaving and building a Mia Mia. We deliver lessons and activities that bring together culture and education.

Family engagement

Engagement with families begins at the recruitment phase, where Program staff meet with students and their families in person to discuss suitability. Once accepted into the Program, Family Engagement Days run at least once per semester to provide parents and carers with an opportunity to engage directly with Program staff, Elders, Indigenous mentors, and other participants.

Face-to-face engagements generally occur outside school hours, on weekends or during school holidays.

Other activities

The Program also offers immersion experiences to students that contribute changing the narrative about Indigenous education to one of high expectations and possibilities. This may include visits to universities, attending Career Fairs, as well as being on-country and going to places of cultural significance. These visits are led by Elders and Indigenous mentors.