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Hervey Bay Independent : 11th February 2016
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Postive pathways CHILDREN across Australia have made the return to school in the past couple of weeks, but the start of the school year isn’t as easy for all of our local families. For some children and their parents, school can be an intimidating environment and the entire process can feel completely overwhelming. Particularly when school was a negative experience for the parent, it can often follow into their children’s schooling, unintentionally. School attendance statistics show that of the 3.4% of Indigenous children across Australia, only 22% of those were attending. Lesa Stagg, team leader of UnitingCare Community’s Guwanu Community and School Engagement (CaSE), knows how overwhelming school can be for Indigenous parents. As a mother herself, she wanted her children’s experience with their schooling to differ from her own. As Lesa says, her children were never bad, but whenever she attended their school, she was left feeling unconfi dent. The Butchulla word ‘Guwanu’ means pathway or road, and this is exactly what the CaSE program is all about. Through the program, Lesa and her colleague Krissie Miller have developed a strong network of help for the Indigenous families in our region. Often asking for help with your child’s schooling can prove too hard for some parents, and the idea of it can feel degrading, www O L E 4184 2044 Suite 10, Signature Building www.campbellhearing.com.au A P R I LIMITED TIME ONLY! *conditions apply NEVER MISS THE MOMENTS THAT BRING US TOGETHER STUNNING NEW Krissie Miller (left) and Lesa Stagg (right) offer a range of services to our indigenous students through their Guwanu Community and School Engagement programs, through Uniting Care Community. so these support groups eliminate that fear. Parents assisting their children with the dreaded task of homework is one of the signifi cant areas that Lesa has seen the most a real change as a direct result of these working groups. “Our Year 3 Indigenous children have scored higher in their reading than our non-Indigenous “This has increased the cycle of success” - Lee Lilburne change in. CaSE homework groups have been set up across Hervey Bay and Maryborough and there has been a welcomed shift in the diffi cult task of tackling homework together. Maryborough Central State School principal Lee Lilburne has noticed students,” Ms Lilburne explained. “This has increased their cycle of success, and we’re seeing a change in attendance and confi dence from our children because of this support.” Setting up these programs is half the battle, but their success relies on all the key elements coming together — such as transportation to and from the homework groups — which is another service provided by the CaSE program. “We offer transport to school for our families, no matter what the reason. It may be as simple as a parent volunteering in the tuck-shop, but may not be able to get there,” Lesa said. For more information on the programs available, contact Guwanu Community and School Engagement program team leader, Lesa Stagg, on 41913100. Alternatively jump onto www. uccommunity.org.au search for ‘Guwanu’. SWIMWEAR INSTORE NOW Stockland Shopping Centre, Pialba | Phone 4128 4177 Signature Building, Suite 15k and 15m, 19-21 Torquay Road, Pialba Text “Get fit” to 0421 879 557 and receive your first week FREE! No obligation – no catches – no pressure HOOD/ROOF LINER DROOPING? We can professionally replace it! CALL 4194 2995 | 9/17 Liuzzi Street, Pialba | www.universalfitness.net.au E getfit@universalfitness.net.au | Facebook.com/universalfitnesspt T 07 4124 1558 | W www.hbfr.com.au | Shop 1A/84 Boat Harbour Drive, Pialba Follow us on Facebook Hervey Bay Independent, February 11, 2016 | 17 R E R F O * F H E E E T H E. N SIR RI F A L P 0 T 3G T Real Estate on the Move Office 4128 9115 | Mobile 0403 880 327
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