Mid-Year Newsletter 2021
It's crazy to believe we're over halfway through 2021!
It was another busy term for the Cathy Freeman Foundation, as we continued to pivot due to the challenges that the ongoing COVID-19 crisis presents. Lockdowns in Melbourne and Palm Island meant we had to postpone both our Team Week and our Palm Island Netball Challenge, but we hope to be able to participate in both in the future.
As always, our staff and partner communities have taken any changes in their stride, and banded together as we navigate these unprecedented times.
There was plenty of excitement throughout Term 2. This included NAIDOC Week celebrations, as well as the announcement of our new partnership with UNICEF Australia, which will expand our program work and provide greater educational opportunities for young people living in our remote communities.
It's been a huge first half of this year, with nine back to school marches, 439 classroom visits, seven family open days, and 21 Starting Block Awards Ceremonies.
Read on below to see what we've been up to.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kind regards, Jade Colgan Chief Executive Officer
BACK TO SCHOOL MARCHES So far this year, Over 1000 students, alongside more than 720 parents and community members, have proudly marched in our Back to School Marches within our four partner communities to celebrate the beginning of each school term and the development and learning that awaits.
SHEPHERDSON COLLEGE OPEN DAY
Shepherdson College in Galiwin'ku enjoyed a successful Family Open Day last term. There was plenty on offer, including open classes, sports, raffles and more. At the halfway point of 2021, we've conducted seven family open days across our communities, connecting with over 1000 students, family members and community members.
TERM 2 STARTING BLOCK AWARDS
We recently celebrated our end of term Starting Block Awards, recognizing students who achieved 90% and above attendance, to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Across the first two school terms this year, over 1500 students, parents and community members were involved in the 21 ceremonies, where 944 awards were handed out. We are grateful to St.George Foundation for their support of our Starting Block program.
LOCAL HORIZONS CAMPS
Senior students from Palm Island's Bwgcolman Community School had a wonderful time on Magnetic Island recently as part of our Local Horizons program, while senior students from Wadja Wadja High School in Woorabinda enjoyed a camp to Yeppoon and Rockhampton.
A big thank you to Viva Energy for their support in making these camps possible, we are so grateful.
Across the second half of the year, our National Horizons participations will be visiting Darwin, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Canberra for a once in a lifetime intensive personal development experience in a metropolitan city.
