GLENROI HEIGHTS PUBLIC SCHOOL (Home to school transition)
Glenroi Heights Public School is a government primary school in the regional centre of Orange, NSW. 120 of the school's 260 students are Indigenous.
PROGRAMMES:
Readiness For School Begins At Birth is a transition programme that focuses on the years prior to compulsory schooling. There are structured playgroups for younger Indigenous children, leading to a three-days-per-week Kinderstart programme in the year prior to school delivered by a trained Early Childhood teacher and an Indigenous Aide. This is meshed with parent activities and training sessions, and the involvement of relevant agencies including Aboriginal Health, Hearing, Housing, Centrelink etc.
This program is driven by the Principal working in consultation with the Aboriginal Parents Group, Aboriginal Management Team, Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and staff members. Collaboration with a regional Early Childhood expert, Charles Sturt University and Aboriginal Interns ensures maintenance of a high level of family engagement. Other important aspects of the school's dedication to making the transition successful include: community workshops to develop parents' understanding of literacy and numeracy teaching in school; making cultural activities and Wiradjuri language part of the curriculum for all students; and celebrating success.
OUTCOMES:
Prior to 2005:
- One emerging playgroup with inconsistent attendance
- Indigenous children entering school had not accessed prior-to-school programmes
- Indigenous parents rarely seen at the school
- No Indigenous parents involved in training courses
Now:
- All age-eligible Aboriginal students within the school's drawing area are now engaged in some form of prior-to-school activity.
- Four active playgroups accessed by more than 50 families
- All Kinderstart children assessed prior to school for vision, hearing, language and speech
- Enrolment of Indigenous students continues to grow
- More than 40 attendees at four different Indigenous parent training courses
- Following community workshops for parents, nine parents have gained paid employment
COMMUNITY COMMENT:
"Our playgroup provides an inviting and engaged setting for our children and their parents. We want to ensure that our families are strong and that our children grow up with culture through a strong sense of connectedness to each other and the wider community. We want our children to have confidence and through the activities we provide we engage children in learning socially, emotionally and academically. Our greatest strength is the linkage to school beginner programs and childcare services." - Pam Boney, Aboriginal Family and Community Worker
CONTACT: Jane Cameron, Principal 02 6362 7191 or www.glenroihts-p.schools.nsw.edu.au
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