PM&C UPDATEWelcome to the November edition of the RSAS newsletter. This month’s newsletter shines the spotlight on the many RSAS podcasts and webinars available online. These resources are available 24/7 and can be downloaded to be watched or listened to at a later date. This week’s webinar will be looking at why it’s important to share successes, make sure to register for this week’s webinar here as there are only two live webinars left for this year! As the year quietens down before Christmas, it may be a good time to take up the opportunity to undertake an accredited training unit prior to the end of the year. The training, which you can do at your own pace, is a good way to refresh some of your learning and skills ahead of next year. Also, don’t forget to let us know your experience with the latest pod cast series including the podcasts on accredited training, your thoughts and feedback are valuable to successful future training. This month’s newsletter also features some excellent reads- good news stories from the Mornington Island RSAS team, with the valuable lesson that all students can achieve great things if they are given the opportunity. Another uplifting story takes us to student Daniel Donation from Derby District High School, Kimberley. Through the school’s RSAS October Attendance Calendar program, Daniel has overcome his challenges and struggles which has successfully boosted his school attendance from 41% in term 3 to 80% in Term 4. Well done Daniel! Read more below to learn how Daniel has inspired his younger brother and his
family.
NESA UPDATE2018 has been an incredible year for RSAS training. The NESA RSAS Project team (Amanda, Kirsty, Renee and Brooke) have really enjoyed working with all providers and PM&C to plan and schedule tailored workshops for all RSAS staff to participate in. In this issue we share with you some of the awesome photos that have been captured from the workshops this year; this month’s RSAS staff spotlight: Alicia Hari from Yarrabah; share with you the Podcast Library showcasing the podcasts that have been developed so far (please check out our Facebook page where we are broadcasting our podcasts and webinars). There are only two more webinars scheduled for this year – see the details below to register. Don’t miss out! The NESA-RSAS Website has some incredible resources for RSAS teams. For example, templates that can be used by your RSAS team or organisation, PM&C resources such as factsheets to support strong RSAS teams; rewards and incentives; communication and media; the basics of RSAS; and strategies to improve school attendance. See the article below for more information. RSAS WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT 2018!Name: Alicia Hari How will kids going to school impact local Indigenous communities? What has been a highlight for you in this role? Check out the updated Staff Profiles on the NESA RSAS Website here Website SpotlightRSAS ToolkitThe RSAS Toolkit includes a series of templates, resources and checklists that RSAS providers will be able to access and utilise as required. These tools are a useful resource to assist in the delivery of the remote school attendance strategy. Click the link below to go and check them out!
THE RSAS PODCAST SERIESYou won't want to miss this two part podcast on Working with Parents & Families with Complex Challenges presented by Karen Demmery. Click on the videos below to watch the two part podcast series. PODCAST LIBRARYNOVEMBER WEBINAR Tuesday 27 November 2018 10.00am WA, 11.30am NT, 12.00pm QLD, Communication is something that we do every day but often don’t stop and think about. Despite our best intentions, up to 60% of the information that we are trying to share is often lost. This webinar looks at the communication process, how we communicate and some of the barriers to our intended message/information being received. It also looks at the true value of using positive and open communication to assist us in celebrating the successes of our team; and how the act of celebrating success, no matter how small, can actually lead to more success for our RSAS teams. REGISTER NOW! If you have any questions regarding the RSAS workshops or webinars please contact us at rsas@nesa.com.au or The Mornington Island RSAS team show that all students can achieve if they are given the opportunity. At Mornington Island State School there is one family that has two children at the school. At the beginning of the year neither of these children were attending very often. Daniel Donation from Derby District High School overcomes his challenges and boosts his attendance to 80%! We would like to congratulate Daniel Donation (11yrs old) on his outstanding effort with his RSAS ‘October Attendance Calendar’. Throughout the year Juanita (Mum) has really struggled with motivating Daniel to attend school on a regular basis. Daniel’s absence from school and behaviour whilst at school was not only leading him up to mischief and suspension but was also affecting his younger sibling Stanley’s (5yrs old) attendance. Sadly, Daniel was also starting to get into trouble with the law, Juanita was always stressed and worried about the path her son was going down. Jennifer (RSAS SEO) who attends regular home visits to Juanita had decided to put forward Daniels name for the October ‘Attendance Calendar’ as she could see potential in Daniel attending school but thought he needed some incentive, to which Juanita agreed might be great motivation for the boys. The ‘Attendance Calendar’ has brought such awesome results to the family! Daniel and Stanley are both thriving and loving school. Since being introduced to the calendar Juanita claims that he is a changed boy! He’s up early every morning for school and he’s also inspiring Stanley to attend every day. Daniel Donation In term 3 Daniel’s attendance was at a low 41% and now in Term 4 his attendance has almost doubled at a staggering 80%! In term 3 Stanley’s attendance was at a low 42% and now in Term 4 his attendance is climbing at 56%. Daniel is now learning to read and really enjoying it and Stanley can now write his own name. Juanita says that she feels a sense of achievement and is very proud that her sons are attending school regularly and has expressed how grateful she is for the RSAS program and especially Jennifer’s unwavering support/home visits. Juanita has expressed that she is now stress free and no more phone calls from the school regarding Daniel getting into trouble. Both boys and Mum are doing great! RSAS has rewarded Daniel and Stanley both with ‘Back to School’ packs and mum Juanita with a Sampey’s Butcher’s meat pack voucher. Keep up the great work boys!
L-R Stanley, Juanita (Mum),
Getting children back to school using grass roots, local language activities “We are trying a new approach and its working.” So said Dr Bentley James, Learning on Country (LoC) coordinator at Galiwin’ku on Elcho Island in the Northern Territory. “We are using local cultural activities to attract children back to school and maintain attendance. Galiwin’ku Learning on Country is using engagement in ground up, grass-roots local language activities developed by Yolŋu on site, in language. That’s why it works.” Megall Barrtja, a year 12 student at Shepherdson College, is proof of the new approach to learning. “Learning about country gives me confidence in my future at home on my country,” Megall said. “Now I like going to school, learning about ‘two ways’ science, maths and English as it helps me tell visitors to my country about the meaning of country, and together we can save it.” Galiwin’ku LoC is a collaboration of five community organs or ‘five trees’ as they are also called. They are the Rangers, Shepherdson College, Yalu (Community-Outreach), Diḻak (Elders) and Wäŋa (the land). “Each possess separate authority, but under the ground their roots join together to enhance the power and creative energy of the Learning on Country program,” Bentley said. This more than ‘whole community’ collaboration includes land and sea in its vision of the future. Marcus Lacey has been a Gumurr Marthakal Ranger for the past year. “Surrounded by songs of the island, we are learning and refurbishing the fish traps of the homelands, sharing in knowledge of country with old people,” Marcus said. “Only we can do these locality-based cultural activities because we are from here. Investigating tidal movement and local strategies for engaging rising sea levels and global warming brings us closer together.” “Understanding the cycles of seasonal winds, early dry season burning for carbon abatement, rubbish collection, plastics recycling and care for country provides valuable involvement with our island home.” Bentley said there is positive improvement in attendance and in the quality of learning. “Here old-fashioned engagement is building a generation of resilient young remote Australians ready for fee-for-service employment on their country,” Bentley said. “They know the future, like the past, relies on knowledge and nurture of country. Little surprise that young people are finding learning on country meaningful and attractive.” Check out the new NESA RSAS Facebook page!A fantastic place to connect, share with and learn from other RSAS staff members, and to keep up to date with webinars, newsletters and great stories from RSAS communities around the country. Follow the link to join. References |