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The Future Footprints Program is an additional support structure for Indigenous students from regional and remote areas of WA attending residential schools in Perth. The goal of Future Footprints is to support students' engagement in education and to enhance students' transition to and from school, to further education, employment or training. The program currently employs two Liaison Officers (LO's) one female and one male. Both have extensive experience in working with Indigenous youth in educational settings.
Specific Goals of the Program are to:
- Increase retention of Indigenous students from year 10 to 12
- Increase the level of successful year 12 completions
- Ensure Indigenous children are ready, and inspired, to learn in the school environment
- Strengthen the capacity of parents and the community to work with schools to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students
Support Overview: Student Support
Through regular supportive contact with students, aimed at building trusting relationships, the LO's discuss and work with students on the following areas:
- Homework/study
- Vocational/career interests
- Transitional issues
- Recreational activities
- Living/family issues
- Peer relationships
- Promoting the development of coping, resiliency, interpersonal and psychosocial competencies during the transition into boarding school
- Promoting and fostering connectedness with education through building self-esteem, sense of belonging and self-worth
- Supporting students access scholarships, Abstudy, Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme, health appointments and pastoral issues
- Supporting students with goal setting, time management, timetabling, independent learning skills and homework strategies
- Building positive mentoring relationships through inclusive group work, excursions and workshop activities
- Disseminating information about important Indigenous events, cultural activities and sporting carnivals
- Facilitating contact with Indigenous role models through community events and special workshops
- Organising an annual Indigenous Careers Expo, involving major industry organizations, government departments, and tertiary education institutions
- Coordinating with other agencies/facilities positive opportunities for students to explore their potential
- Providing career development support to students and assistance with the transition into further education, employment or training courses.
For further information contact:
- Fran van Riessen
Email: fvanriessen@ais.wa.edu.au
- Farah Rind or Andrew Beck
Email: frind@ais.wa.edu.au or abeck@ais.wa.edu.au
