We are committed to closing the achievement gap for Aboriginal students. We know that we need to learn about, nurture and value the cultural identity of our Aboriginal students in order to assist them to be successful learners.
We welcome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family members, parents and community members to our school so that we can get to know each other, learn about the local Aboriginal community and develop shared goals and plans for Aboriginal students.
We encourage Aboriginal students to learn how to negotiate and develop strategies by providing unique leadership opportunities.
The Entrance Campus is continuously striving to better the support we provide to our Aboriginal students culturally, emotionally, socially and academically. In addition to the support that is available for every student at The Entrance Campus we provide;
- Aboriginal Student PLP Mentoring Program so that every Aboriginal student has an individual personalised learning pathway and a mentor to help them achieve their goals.
- Our Aboriginal Student Resource Room has laptop stations, IPads, a kitchenette stocked with tea/coffee and breakfast/lunch items, artefact kit, text books, comfortable seating area and up to date information boards.
- Campus Identified Aboriginal Education Coordinator employed three days per week.
- Project Officer Rob Waters as part of the NSW Premiers priority program Pirru Thangkuray. Ensuring our students sense of identity and culture is supported and valued while on the HSC journey.
- TEC Yarning FaceBook page to strengthen communication channels.
- Aboriginal Student Leadership Roll Call Groups to help build a sense of community and belonging amongst our students. Also allows our teaching staff, tutors and Aboriginal Education Coordinator to meet with students each morning to coordinate tutoring, promote programs and excursions etc.
- A strong working partnership with Kuriwa Local AECG and a signed Partnership Agreement.
- Various programs throughout the year such as NRL School to Work Program that supports students to transition from school into tertiary study or employment.
- Deadly Dreaming Motivational Speaking Program to inspire our students to strive for their goals.
- Strong partnerships with Universities and TAFE Aboriginal Learning Circle. The Entrance Campus offers opportunities to attend Indigenous Open Days to many universities each year. Presentations by universities are held on campus and comprehensive support is provided to students when they apply for various Indigenous alternative entry pathways to universities.
- School assemblies that celebrate and recognise our student's diverse cultures and histories, for example our Aboriginal Education Awards Ceremony, Reconciliation Assembly, NAIDOC events, GulangFest Message Stick Ceremony.
- Outstanding involvement in GulangFest from performing, hosting, working lighting and sound and back stage crew.
- College and Campus cultural and leadership experiences. For example TLSC Cultural Leadership Workshops, Cultural Dance Workshops, SistaSpeak, BroSpeak and Central Coast Showcase.
- Financial support to assist students purchase school uniforms, course fees, course and leadership excursions, breakfast and lunch supplies, loans of laptop computers etc.
- Indoor and outdoor learning spaces designed to promote Aboriginal culture. For example Library Area Two, Yarning Circle and Bush Tucker Garden, Aboriginal Student Resource Room, Petroglyph Site and numerous murals around the campus.
- Strong student enrolment in the Aboriginal Studies Preliminary and HSC course with access to Aboriginal community members and staff to support academic success.
- Offer, promote and support students with Indigenous School Based Traineeships.
- Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College Junior AECG. Any Aboriginal student can become a member and the Junior Executive positions are peer elected each year.
- Various Indigenous sporting opportunities.