Kids to Coast 2016
The year started off with an educational tour for the top 10 Indigenous students from Yirrkala School, East Arnhem Land to Sydney.
Kids to Coast Yirrkala will focus on incentivising school attendance and teacher training. The selection process was based on their academic performance: school grades, behaviour and attendance.
This program was created in parallel with the creation of our sister program Culture College in the same region. Both organisations lead with the same mission of improving school attendance and student participation, leading to a change of attitude towards education and development of a stronger generation of community champions.
First big trip
For most students, it was their first trip to a big city.
First time catching big waves
These students live in the Yirrkala Community, East Arnhem Land, NT. Although they are used to the ocean, they rarely experience big waves such as Bondi Beach. More importantly, the waters they know are filled with crocodiles and are dangerous for swimming.
Training with Sydney Swans
Students got to meet the legendary Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and the Sydney Swans team on their home training ground, and spent half a day learning about team efforts, persistence and football skills.
Broadcasting with NITV
Thanks to the NITV, the students spent half a day at the HQ studios, interacting with the news reporters, learning about the Indigenous television station, operating a camera and how the news are being prepared/delivered.
Meeting with student peers at Ascham School and Scots College
This was the first year to introduce the Culture College students during the KTC tour. One of our goals is to create long term ‘buddies’ through our program. By visiting their peers in person and seeing the schools, KTC students get to receive a whole new perspective of education and make new friendships.
Teacher Training
Kids to Coast Yirrkala will provide funding for an ongoing program of tailored professional development opportunities for the Indigenous “Team Teachers” of Yirrkala School. As members of the community, they play a critical role in engagement of the students towards our program and education overall.
It rewards and encourages good school attendance and behavior.
It takes students out of the community and they get to see new places and things in a big city.
It provides new experiences that they could not have at home.
It shows them possibilities for the future.
The Nippers were fantastic, so well trained and professional. I was so impressed with them.
They really did a good job of pairing up and looking after their Yirrkala partners out in the water.