Souths Cares Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) Program continues to achieve great outcomes for Aboriginal education, with the program supporting 16 participants to achieve their HSC in 2020.
The program was developed in response to Aboriginal high school students achieving lower levels of school retention, HSC completion and successfully transitioning into employment and/or tertiary education pathways.
Since the program was launched by Souths Cares in 2012, over 280 Aboriginal high school students have been supported to ‘Dream Big’ and achieve their education and employment aspirations.
This year’s cohort of Year 12 students includes participants from Matraville Sports High School, Alexandria Park Community School, Brigidine College, and JJ Cahill Memorial High School.
The students have been engaged in the program for the past three years and have been supported by Souths Cares mentors through a wide range of activities including classroom support, in-school workshops, developing employment and education pathways, participating in industry visits and attending cultural leadership camps.
William Last, Souths Cares Mentor said he was proud of the group’s achievements
“I am very proud to see how far these students have come, from when I first started with Souths Cares two and a half years," Mr Last said.
"The students have embraced every opportunity offered to them and have excelled in everything they have put their minds to."
Kiara Maza, Souths Cares Employment Programs Coordinator was excited to see the students enter their next chapter.
“These students have been great to mentor over these past few years and they have worked really hard to get to this very big moment in their lives," Miss Maza said.
"They have made themselves, family, and the Souths Cares team very proud. We cannot wait to see what their futures hold."
The Year 12 cohort will continue to receive support from Souths Cares as they transition into employment, training and tertiary education in 2021.
A number of exciting career pathways have already been secured including Traineeships with Transport for NSW and St. Vincent’s Hospital, a Carpentry Apprenticeship, Bachelor of Engineering and entry into the IPROWD Policing Program.
