We actively recognise and support our students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We acknowledge that adolescence can be a challenging time in a young person's life. Similarly, we acknowledge that emotional and physical wellbeing are critical factors in the teaching and learning process. We seek to support students to balance the stresses or barriers to learning so that they can be an active member of the school community.
Community Links
The school collaborates with local community organisations and government initiatives to encourage cultural engagement, personal development and to deliver opportunities for students beyond the classroom.
Our partnerships include:
Deadly Choices Program
The Deadly Choices Education Program is a health education and capacity development program aimed at supporting students to be positive role models and mentors for their family, peer group, and community by leading a healthy lifestyle. The Deadly Choices team run various programs on school grounds throughout the year, targeted at specific groups of students.
For more information visit the Deadly Choices website.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS)
ATSICHS provide a diverse range of health and ancillary services to more than 12,000 clients throughout the greater Brisbane and Logan areas. Students are encouraged to receive an annual health check. Primary health care is provided through their medical clinics, however, each term a doctor visits the school to conduct scheduled health checks for identified families. For this to take place, a parent/caregiver must be in attendance.
For more information visit the ATSICHS website.
ARTIE Academy
ARTIE (Achieving Results Through Indigenous
Education) Academy runs in partnership with the FOGS (Former Origin Greats).
The Academy’s vision is to improve educational outcomes for both male and
female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Using innovative
approaches, the Academy aims to create high expectations for effort, behaviour,
achievement and commitment.
Our ARTIE Coordinator, Noah Williams, is a proud Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander man from North Queensland and an Artie Academy alumni student. He currently mentors across Marsden State School and Bray Park State School. Noah has been with ARTIE for the past four years.A message from Noah:
"My reason for pursuing this career pathway comes from my passion for supporting First Nations young people and communities. I believe our students thrive when they have access to a culturally safe environment, consistent support, and a mentor who can understand and relate to their experiences and journeys, while supporting them through school and beyond.
I was fortunate to have positive role models throughout my own schooling who encouraged and supported me, and I want to be that same kind of role model for the next generation. I hope to inspire First Nations students to aim high, dream big, embrace their strengths, and stand proud and strong in their culture and identity."
Noah is based at Marsden State School each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He consistently encourages, rewards and informs students of opportunities in a concentrated effort to 'Close the Gap' in educational outcomes between First Nations and non-First Nations students. All First Nations students are provided with the opportunity to be a part of this program with consent from a parent/caregiver. We host term launches where group attendance goals are set, as well as individualised goals for targeted students.
Throughout the year sees the opportunity for many First Nations students to be provided with additional in class tutoring by a university student. This extra support comes as part of ARTIES partnership with various universities, and is very much welcomed at our school.
For your child to participate in the ARTIE Academy program an ARTIE Permission Form must be completed.
Noah can be emailed at: noahw@fogs.com.au
Solid Pathways Program
The Solid Pathways is an online critical and creative thinking program for high-achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have performed in the top two bands in Year 3 NAPLAN for numeracy and reading.
The Solid Pathways program offers enrolled students weekly online lessons that develop life-long skills to support them across all curriculum areas. Lessons align with the Australian Curriculum and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures Cross-curriculum priority. The Program aims to raise students' expectations of themselves as learners.
Regular attendance in the online lessons is crucial to support students' developmental progression.
For more information visit the Solid Pathways website.