Gumala News - April 2012 - Community Edition

GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, APRIL 2012
GUMALA NEWS COMMUNITY EDITION, APRIL 2012
Gumala – Investing in our
future through Education
Gumala’s focus on education as an
integral developmental platform for
its Members is showcased through
the newly implemented “3A
project” at the Gumala 0-5 Studio
(Early Childhood Centre), located
at Wakuthuni Community near Tom
Price.
Gumala CEO Steve Mav: “The focus
on education is vitally important,
especially in the early childhood
stages. My view is that investing
in education is investing in GAC’s
future.
“Education is an exceptionally
important issue for me because our
Members, the Traditional Owners,
constantly remind me that the future
of the Banyjima, Innawonga and
Nyiyaparli peoples lies in the future
of their children, their children’s
children, and future generations.”
Initial planning and consultation
with The University of Melbourne
and the residents of Wakuthuni
community gave insight into the
specific needs that the centre
could address before the centre
was constructed. Opening in late
February, the program is still in its
teething stages with several children
and parents attending on a regular
basis... but it is starting to deliver the
anticipated outcomes.
Working in partnership with Tom
Price Primary School and the
University of Melbourne, the 3A
Project creates a quality learning
environment for children and their
families. The program is based on
the Abecedarian Approach, an
exciting learning concept that is
based on over 30 years of research,
highlighting the importance of the
first five years of a child’s life.
The program uses interactive
learning methods with conversational
reading at the forefront, emphasis on
learning games and a focus on the
child’s interaction with their parents
and caregivers who initiate these
games. Games could be as simple as
singing rhymes, allowing the children
to investigate story books, playing
with toys and using simple items that
are found around them.
Despite its simplistic approach,
effective learning activities will teach
the children fun and easy ways to
develop the basic skills they need to
Baby Alissa Rae Jones, pictured with her mother, Loretta Donalson at the Wakuthuni
Early Childhood Centre
prepare them for school. Intrigue
and eagerness was demonstrated
recently at the centre’s opening
morning tea with teachers, parents
and children, who were instantly
attracted to the fun and colourful
resources around them.
Research shows that the Abecedarian
Approach has helped children
become more confident when they
enter the school system. It also
increases their chances of staying at
school for longer and going on to
higher education.
Further studies by Child
Development and Paediatric
researchers have found that the long
term health benefits for children
engaged in this program are very
beneficial. Abecedarian children
(by the age of 18) demonstrate
less risky behaviour; they also show
fewer signs of depression by age 21
and are more engaged in healthier
life styles compared with children
who enter the school system without
prior educational inductions such as
the Abecedarian Approach.
Rochelle Hooper and Mary Rice,
teachers from the Tom Price Primary
School and newly appointed early
childhood teachers at the centre,
have already witnessed an interest
and an enthusiasm in the kids that
attend.
Rochelle Hooper: “There is a real
love of the story books. They like to
sit in the corner and read.”
She also tells of a little boy who tells
them he wants to come to school
every day with “Mrs Dooper” and
who also loves looking at the books.
Rochelle is passionate about the
project and sees it as an opportunity
for parents to make a profound
contribution to their child’s learning
and future: “I hope to be able to
empower the parents and children
to be life-long learners. I know this
approach will really impact the
children of Wakuthuni. This will
also make the transition to primary
school smoother for Kindgarten
onwards…The success of this project
will impact their lives forever. We
would love to see more kids attend
with their parents.”
The centre opens each weekday
from 9am to midday and
parents from the community and
surrounding areas are encouraged
to come and participate with games
and activities, followed by a healthy
morning tea.
EDUCATION FUNDING
Over the last few years Gumala’s
increased spending and focus on
education is providing Gumala
Members and their children with
more opportunities to gain skills and
knowledge needed for the future
career pathways.
Assistance and funding is distributed
through carefully structured
education programs, including Early
Childhood, Primary, Secondary,
Tertiary, Scholarship and Computer
Program. Financial assistance is also
provided with school fees, books,
stationery, school lunches, excursions
and uniforms.
Steve Mav: “GAC is pouring money
into education spending. We are
paying for school and university fees
for the Members and their children.
We are also paying for other
education expenses in the form of
rent assistance for students, tuition
fees and much more.”
GAC has increased its education
funding three fold, with around
$690,000 to $1.5 million during
the 2010/11 financial year.
Developing projects and partnerships
with other education providers such
as Tom Price Primary School, The
University of Melbourne and schools
around the Pilbara will ultimately help
Members and the generations that
follow in obtaining the key to a better
future.
Mr Mav: “The rewards will come
when the current young generation,
the youngsters that we are assisting to
get a good education, reap the rewards
that we hope that their educations will
bring (the key one being, of course,
employment opportunities).
“At Gumala, we look forward to
continuing to support and grow
our capacity to deliver excellent
education outcomes. After all,
the education of our people – the
Traditional Owners in the Pilbara –
represents a very wise investment.”
Jaidah & Benjamin Limerick photographed during the opening day of the
“3A Project” at Wakuthuni Early Childhood Centre
Page 6 Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Gumala Aboriginal Corporation Page 7