Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview in Sydney was one of just four schools selected to participate in a unique project, the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW) Pilot Project: Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students.
One of the project participants (left) receives some guidance.
The project, the first project of its kind for the NSW independent schools sector, aimed to address the critical disparities in the education outcomes between Indigenous and nonIndigenous students.
Recently, AISNSW released a report with the findings of the two-year pilot, demonstrating successful results in increasing students’ academic and wellbeing outcomes as well as in students’ general happiness, sense of pride and belonging at school.
Dr Geoff Newcombe AM, AISNSW Chief Executive, said, ‘These positive outcomes are the result of schools developing authentic relationships with the students, their families and community along with whole-school culturally responsive support led by the principal.’
The College has thanked and commended its First Nations Unit staff, particularly First Nations Education Coordinator, Kate Hilyard, and First Nations Cultural Mentor, Kaleb Taylor, for their passion and extra-mile efforts during the course of the pilot.