The Michael Long Learning and Leadership Centre (MLLLC) has its first groups of remote Indigenous students onsite to participate in its education and leadership programs in over 14 months due to COVID impacts.
Tiwi Island students from Wurrumiyunga arrived to the MLLLC as part of the Make Your Mark Leadership Program. This initiative was designed to improve educational outcomes for remote Indigenous children in the Northern Territory.
The Make Your Mark Leadership Program includes a week-long residential program encompassing football-themed literacy and numeracy curriculum, team building activities, AFL mentoring and skill training, road safety, heath and wellbeing sessions.
As part of this program, students also visit Darwin boarding schools and local attractions which increases their understanding and awareness of the opportunities available to them outside their home community.
MLLLC Programs Lead, Amanda Marshall said the Program plays an important role in encouraging leadership, identifying student’s passions and highlighting the importance of completing secondary education for students to strive and achieve their potential.
“The aim is to support remote Indigenous youth in new experiences and opportunities that cultivate a passion for pursuing their education in alignment with their personal and cultural dreams,”
“This week students have travelled from Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island on the Tiwi Islands to participate in the Make Your Mark Leadership Program.
“The centre is alive with the excited energy of 17 students as they engage in new experiences and learning.
“The MLLLC is not unfamiliar to many of these students, who have seen their brothers, sisters, and cousins travel to Darwin for the program in past years, and return home with new understandings and confidence.”
In the last 5 years, more than 110 students from Xavier Catholic College in Wurrumiyanga have participated in MLLLC Programs, with this week marking their tenth program.
HPE and Wellbeing Coordinator at Xavier Catholic College, Josh Leane said after attending the MLLLC multiple times with students he believes the program is a great way to promote leadership, confidence, and improved wellbeing.
“This program supports students through strengthening their engagement and learning at school and in community for long after the program ends and opens their eyes to new opportunities available to them in Darwin,”
“I would recommend this program to any remote or rural community looking to increase attendance, engagement and opportunity for their students.”
The MLLLC is committed to continual development and expansion, to provide more education and leadership opportunities to young Indigenous Territorians.