independent schools lend a hand

The Age 8 March 2008

Whilst the Victorian Government is considering an ‘overhaul’ in the way in which Aboriginal students are taught in government schools, independent schools are coming up with their own ideas to improve Aboriginal students’ literacy
and numeracy skills.

Many independent schools offer scholarships to indigenous students from remote locations. Furthermore, non-
government schools are considering the possibility of establishing a new indigenous transition school. The school
would work with indigenous students to improve literacy and numeracy skills and to experience ‘city life’ before they undertook scholarships at independent schools.

Mr Rick Tudor, State Chairman of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA), and principal
of Trinity Grammar School in Kew, has been working with other principals to develop the idea of creating a transition school. AHISA is also working on expanding scholarship opportunities in a bid to provide more indigenous students with scholarships to independent schools.

Schools such as Trinity Grammar, Melbourne Grammar and Methodist Ladies College offer Indigenous Scholarships. Candidates for the scholarship come from both rural Victoria and from around the country. School then pays their
board and tuition fees for up to four years.

The principal of Methodist Ladies College, Ms Rosa Storelli, believes that scholarships are a ‘two-way street’ and that students learn a lot from their indigenous classmates ‘It’s not about us offering a better opportunity, it’s about us
offering an opportunity,’ she said.

 

 

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