April 18, 2012
“We used to sharpen our spears … now we sharpen our words”
These are the words of North Queensland indigenous educator Michael Drahm who was invited to visit Cherbourg recently to explain a program which has dramatically increased school attendance at the Cooktown State School.
In the old days, Aunties and Uncles would take children off into the bush to teach them skills. These days, he said, Aunties and Uncles can still pass on vital life skills.
Michael founded the “Aunties and Uncles” program – part of the “Closing the Gap” initiative – which encourages community members to reinforce the importance of a good education to young people.
Formed in partnership with the Cape York Health Service District and the Department of Communities, the weekly program is designed to empower and develop healthy and confident social and personal skills for students.
Between 15 and 20 volunteers in Cooktown have linked up with a group of children for four years.
They engage with the children by running programs that foster social and emotional well-being, as well as providing opportunities for art and language.
The mentors also talk about drugs and alcohol, and anger management
The first cluster at Cooktown State School were in Years 2-6. They are now being mentored in Years 3-7 and will be followed until they are in Years 5-9.
“Attendance has gone up; academic achievement has gone up,” Michael said.
“Kids have learned what respect is. They have learned to respect themselves, to respect their parents and respect their teachers.”
Michael, who has family ties to Cherbourg, was invited to the town by PaCE (Parent and Community Engagement).
He said his presentation was well-received and strategies were now being put in place that could lead to the program being introduced locally.
