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Jobfind first RJCP provider in Indigenous schools program
by Jessica Komlos 15 January 2014
I
ndigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion launched the new schools attendance initiative last week in Gunbalanya, in support of the Abbott Government’s No. 1 priority in Indigenous Affairs, improving the school attendance rates in remote communities. The Minister announced the $28.4 million program, which runs over two years, aims to: Improve attendance rates in remote schools and bring these in line with metro and mainstream school attendance rates; Work with families and the wider community to increase student attendance through support, tools and mentoring, and; Drive further outcomes, as a result of increased attendance figures, by way of training and employing RJCP participants. A positive secondary outcome of the program will be the training, mentoring and employment of RJCP participants. At the completion of Term 1, Jobfind will review the capability and skill levels of Attendance Officers with a view to transitioning some into roles within the school as teacher
Minister Nigel Scullion with the school attendance officers in their new vests. Image supplied
aids, to support teachers with the rise in student numbers. Jobfind is honoured to be the first RJCP provider to be involved in the program, and fully supports the initiative to strengthen school attendance and ensure students get the education they require to improve their chances of achieving excellence, employment and becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Jobfind have already appointed two School Supervisors, who will assist and mentor the 20 School Attendance Officers in Gunbalanya. The Supervisors and Officers visit houses each morning, to ensure the children are able to get to school, and also engage with the children and their families in after school activities and mentoring, to build a commitment to attendance. The RJCP participants will gain valuable skills, training and, in many cases, employment within the schools in future. Jobfind RJCP Regional Manager Catherine Ritchie stated “I am very proud of the efforts made by the Jobfind RJCP team, given that we had a short lead-time to meet with the school and our RJCP participants to put plans in place
for the program. The team worked tirelessly over the Christmas and New Year holidays to ensure deadlines were met and the program launch was a success. We are keenly aware of the enormity of the task at hand and are signed up to do whatever it takes to ensure that children continue to attend school in the future to gain much needed education.� This concerted effort by Jobfind was applauded by the Minister at the launch, congratulating Jobfind on their work so far. Gunbalanya School Principal Sue Trimble was delighted at the unprecedented student turn out for the first week of the program, with the figures for attendance last week (for Tues-Fri): 231, 243, 248 and 217 out of 290 registered students. The average daily student attendance of 235 in the past week is in stark comparison to the average daily student attendance of 131 over the past year. She believes the program is on track to deliver on its goals, as there has been widespread community support and believes Jobfind are a key partner in this ongoing.
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