Paige Parnell - Community Education Counsellor (First Nations), supports students with educational achievement, provides in-class learning support and monitors individual performance plans.
First Nations Education and Training Futures
The Department of Education, Training and Employment acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and sea where we all work and live and pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.
The Division of Indigenous Education and Training Futures drive improvements to the learning, training and employment outcome of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student through the state.
All students, regardless of their background are entitled to world class education and training services at every stage of their lives, from cradle to employment, so they can maximise their potential, and play an active part in the community and economy.
The Division is driving programs, policies and projects aimed at closing the gap in learning and life outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.
Closing the Gap Education Strategy
Every day, in every classroom, every student is learning and achieving.
The Closing the Gap Education Strategy is the overarching strategy for the Department of Education and Training. The focus of the strategy is achieving a core set of targets as indicators of progress towards eliminating the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous student education outcomes.
In 2014, the Federal Government goals are:
- Halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for children within a decade.
- Halve the gap in Indigenous Year 12 achievement by 2020.
The targets for student attendance and Year 12 retention will continue to use the 2008 data as the baseline.
The Division publishes a monthly newsletter Closing the Gap for parents, educators, community members and all people with an interest in improving the education and training of Queensland’s first people.
QATSIF Scholarship
The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (QATSIF) was created to give Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families increased educational choices and life opportunities.
QATSIF recognises the vital role that successful completion of schooling and the availability of opportunities through higher education have in building a foundation for employment and a better quality of life.
Under this program, QATSIF will provide two-year scholarship funding to a number of selected secondary schools across Queensland to support students commencing Year 11.
Deadly Choices
Deadly Choices is a program which informs participants about staying strong and healthy, maintaining healthy lifestyles and making positive lifestyle choices. The program nurtures leadership and encourages participants to become positive mentors and role models in their community.
Deadly Choices – 7 Key Health Areas
- Leadership
- Chronic Disease
- Physical Activity
- Nutrition
- Harmful Substances
- Smoking Cessation
- Medicare and access to Primary Health Care
Indigenous Student Support Centres at Universities and TAFE
- Bond University : Nyombil Centre : 55 951 116
- Griffith University : Gumurri Centre : 55 528 820
- QUT : Oodgeroo Unit : 1800 645 513 or 3138 3610
- Southern Cross University : Gnibi College : 1800 769 763
- Gold Coast TAFE : Indigenous Student Support Officer : 55 818 300
- University of Qld : ATSI Studies Unit : 3365 6309
Other universities not listed will also have an Indigenous Students Support Centre. The above list includes the Universities and TAFE colleges most popular with PPSHS students in recent years.