Scholarships To Support More Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Teachers Announced

Scholarships To Support More Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Teachers Announced

I was delighted to award $5000 scholarships to six recipients of the ACT’s annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Scholarship Program today.

The Year 11 students completed a rigorous, merit based, selection process for the scholarship program at the end of 2011. Students presented evidence of their achievements and reflected on their learning and future pathways at selection panels.

The recipients of the 2012 awards were Georgia Abel and Monique Cook from Stromlo High School, Tatjana Baum from Lyneham High School, Hayley Luck from Belconnen High School, Kyneisha Murray from Calwell High School and Madelaine Pickwick from Telopea Park School. The initiative also includes three $20,000 university scholarships, to be announced later this year.

The recipients will provide a mentoring role to younger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, developing their leadership and teaching skills as well as providing positive role models for other young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

These scholarships are another part of the ACT Government’s 2009-10 budget commitment to invest $691 000 over four years to attract more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers to our education system and to close the gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.