Clontarf boys on track

The academy at Coodanup Community College opened officially last week after beginning in term two last year.

Aims of the foundation include improving the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men.

The program involves intensive daily mentoring and support of the young men through a critical time in their development towards adulthood.

Currently there are 37 students in the program from years 7 to 12. Thirteen of them are working towards graduation.

The academy room is a vital part of the program as it helps to develop an environment in the school which is safe and supportive. Students take part in the program daily and complete activities designed around the five focus areas: education, leadership and life skills, wellbeing, employment and sport.

Education Minister Peter Collier said Coodanup Clontarf Academy was helping students gain an education as well as important life skills.

‘The academy is already gaining momentum in the Mandurah area,’ he said.

‘It is based on Clontarf Foundation’s successful model which taps into the existing passion that Aboriginal boys have for football to attract them into school and attending regularly.’

Minister Collier said the Clontarf name was synonymous with football, but was not a sporting program.

‘The boys undertake activities based on the areas of education, leadership, employment, healthy lifestyles, life skills and football,’ he said.

In order to remain in the program, students must continue to work at school and embrace the objectives of the Clontarf Found- ation.