More than 140 young Aboriginal students from Kempsey will join an innovative program that uses the love of sport to build better engagement at school.
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Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli and Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey visited Kempsey High School to hear first-hand how the Clontarf program will give students fresh motivation to make the most of their opportunities at school.
“Clontarf has a strong track record developing the values, skills and abilities needed to increase a student’s chances of finishing school,” Mr Piccoli said.
“The school communities are looking forward to seeing the difference Clontarf will make to the lives of students at Kempsey and Melville High Schools.”
Ms Pavey said that engaging students through their love of rugby league and linking sport to school attendance, has a history of ensuring students complete their HSC.
“I’m proud to welcome Clontarf to Kempsey and look forward to seeing the program in action,” Ms Pavey said.
“We want all students to stick with school, complete their HSC and gain employment.
“Finishing school dramatically improves a person’s earning capacity. That’s the goal.”
The Clontarf Foundation is a national not-for-profit organisation established to use mentoring to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men.
This year the Foundation has 4,500 students participating in the program at 79 schools.
In 2016 both Kempsey High School and Melville High School each received more than $1,200,000 in additional needs-based funding.
The schools use needs-based funding, made possible by NSW being the first state to sign the Gonski agreement, to employ additional teachers and support staff, including staff for students with disabilities, and for other initiatives such as the Clontarf program.
This year, the state government is investing $113 million in additional funding to support NSW public school students who need it most.