The Aboriginal Student support and parent awareness programme aims to involve the parents/carers of indigenous students in decisions that affects their children's schooling.

The parents/caregivers of Indigenous students get together with their school or preschool and form a partnership. This partnership along with the school community develop programs that provide positive learning outcomes.

Some of the activities conducted at Malak Primary School are:

• Nutrition Programs
• Regular school community meetings
• Parent/caregivers workshops
• Parents/caregivers information sessions
• Cultural Programs
• Manage the Homework Centre
• Develop programs such as Indigenous tutorial assistance.
• Provide programs that are inclusive for Indigenous students/parents.

These are just a few of the activities that the Indigenous Parent Partnership works towards.

To obtain more information about these Programs or to have your input or share ideas please come along to the next Indigenous school community meeting.

For any further enquiries you can contact the AIEW at Malak Primary School on 89200000 or call in to the school during school hours.

Hi my name is Matthew Mayo and I am the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Worker at Malak Primary School. I was born in Darwin and I am from a large family. I have worked in schools for the past 3 years and I'm currently furthering my Education at Charles Darwin University. As an Indigenous person I understand the issues that affect Indigenous people and their families. I hope to be able to prevent these issues from affecting the educational outcomes of the Indigenous students and try my best to keep them on track. My role and responsibilities as an AIEW is to support the Malak Primary School and community and its Indigenous families with the aim of improving the attendance and educational outcomes of the Indigenous students. Matthew Mayo AIEW

Matthew Mayo - AIEW

Aims:

• Enhance the attendance and retention of the Indigenous student

• Encourage parents to ensure their children attend school on a daily basis.

• Promote the school as a positive place to be.

• Provide information to parents about the school

• Discuss the school's programmes and policies with families

• Ensure that any concerns that parents may have is brought to the attention to the teacher and senior staff.

• Assist in raising the self esteem and confidence of students

• Develop programmes for parents ( so if you have any ideas please let me know)

• Develop programmes for the students

• Encourage parental participation in the school

• Develop a positive working relationship with the Indigenous families of Malak Primary School

• Promote Cultural awareness in the school

• Promote the nutrition program

Achievements:

• The attendance rate of the Indigenous students has improved significantly through constant interaction with students and their families.

• If a child has been absent from school for more than 2 days without prior notification, contact will be made with the parent/guardians.

• Programmes such as the Homework Centre has seen new families become involved. More parents are urged to get involved

• Parenting Workshops for families was very successful with a significant number of parent attending with a positive outcome.

• The year seven ASTI Workshop, 13 schools participated from the rural, Palmerston and Darwin area, 116 students in total attended. All those that attended were pleased with the outcome

• Great working relationships with the Indigenous families at Malak Primary School. There are still some families I need to meet.

Please feel free to call me on 08 89200000 or call in at anytime during school hours.