Inspiring Indigenous Students to Complete the SACE

A seminar aimed at motivating more indigenous students to complete their education has been held as part of an important initiative by the Senior Secondary Assessment Board of South Australia.

In July, about 100 Indigenous Year 10 and 11 students from 35 metropolitan Adelaide schools gathered at Nukunwarrin Yunti to hear from a range of inspirational speakers and 'role models'.

Of particular interest were six Aboriginal people who are now either continuing with further study or have joined the workforce. They highlighted the value of completing the South Australian Certificate of Education, despite what can at times be a difficult experience in the education system.

The seminar was organised as part of SSABSA's Aboriginal Education Strategy and coordinated by Indigenous Project Officers Linda Clayton and Nanette Smibert.

The six former students discussed the important role that education played in their lives, in an effort to encourage and motivate the students assembled to participate in and complete their studies.

Chris Wilson, now an Archaeology student at Flinders University, told the seminar of the discrimination and loneliness he sometimes experienced during his studies, and his determination to complete his schooling.

"It was incredibly hard growing up and being discriminated against by other students, parents and the police because of my cultural background," he told the student gathering.

"I found it hard being a student with social and economic disadvantages and being unsure of my own identity.

"As my cousins and friends dropped out of school I soon found myself alone, walking around at recess and lunch with fewer friends than I used to have. It was terrifying."

But Chris was determined to succeed and remained focused on finishing his education and being accepted into University - a goal he has achieved.

While the number of Aboriginal students completing their secondary education is improving, it still lags considerably behind the percentage for the remainder of the student population. The SSABSA seminar was aimed at addressing this disproportionately low number of indigenous students who successfully complete their schooling.

The seminar not only provided students with valuable information on how to complete the SACE, they were also inspired and motivated by people like Chris, and Normandy Mining trainee Elsie Fisher.

Elsie told of being the only child in a family of eight children to complete secondary schooling.

"My older siblings now look up to me and view me as someone who has achieved in my life already," she said.

The speakers also stressed the expanded range of life choices that completing secondary education provides.

A major theme that became evident during the seminar was the importance of holding onto indigenous values and culture, and being proud of your identity as an Aboriginal Australian.

"Role models are very important - use your teachers, family and friends for help and advice during your schooling", lecturer at the University of South Australia, Syd Sparrow, told the students.

"And always remember, there is light at the end of the tunnel."

Linda instructed students on some of the basics of the SACE during the seminar, outlining subject requirements as well as University and TAFE entry conditions. Students also received valuable details and guidance on the types of support available to them throughout their schooling.

Another aim of the seminar was to promote interaction between the Indigenous students at the various Adelaide schools.

Students were given the opportunity to see and meet Aboriginal students from a range of schools across the metropolitan area. With indigenous students usually in the minority in a school environment, this provided a valuable chance for them to see themselves as part of a larger and common group.

Equity in schools is quite a way off for Aboriginal students. But SSABSA is committed to achieving its goal of creating a more level playing and learning field for all South Australians.

* In another upcoming SSABSA initiative students will learn about indigenous languages, including Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Pitjantjatjara, in a two-week course to be held in December. The venue for the course is still to be announced.