CaSPA Board Update

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        Board Meeting with Paul Greaves (NT Director of Catholic Education)

        Issues Discussed

        • Paul and the CaSPA Board discussed the issues around supporting students when away from country and returning to country after school.
        • Paul is wanting to work towards self-determination for remote schools where they are run by the local community.
        • Education needs to have a recognition of the learning needs of Aboriginal students and the way they learn.
        • Local knowledge on country and language needs to be recognised in the Australian Curriculum and the NT high school certificate (the SACE).
        • More VET opportunities are needed.
        • Better coordination of foundations and Government agencies needed.
        • Health issues affecting students learning need to be addressed.
        • Quality health workers, housing, trades, and community facilities needed.

         

        Board Visit to Bathurst Island Xavier College

        On 15 August the CaSPA Board Directors were invited to visit Xavier College on Bathurst Island. The Principal, Rhett Bowden is a CaSPA Director and hosted the Board for the day.

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        Directors were welcomed by the College Community with a Smoking Ceremony. During the day Directors visited the classrooms and worked with the teachers and students at the College.

        Following this the Directors visited;

        The original Catholic Church on the island

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        Local Art Centre (Tiwi Design)
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        And the Museum which is run by Sister Anne and her staff. Sister Anne is an Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) Sister and has worked with the Bathurst Island Community for over 60 years – Sister Anne is proudly 92 years of age.
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        After a lovely lunch the Board visited The Keeping Place which is an Art Centre for people with disabilities on Bathurst Island. The Keeping Place is Heritage Listed and is a wonderful Art centre with many exhibits. Needless to say, there were many purchases made by the Directors during the afternoon.

        During the Board meeting over the following 2 days, there was much reflection about Bathurst Island and other remote communities in Australia that need improvements in many aspects not just education. The CaSPA Board was resolute in being a genuine advocate for the communities and their needs into the future.

        Unfortunately, Miriam-Rose was not able to join the CaSPA Board meeting. However, Eleesa Zlatic who works with Miriam-Rose was able to join the Board on Thursday to further explain the imagery and meaning of the Unity Painting.
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        Eleesa’s explanation of the Unity painting and the needs of remote communities was most insightful for the Board.

        Profiles of all the CaSPA Board are available on the CaSPA Website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members