Students are supported through a fulltime Aboriginal Education Officer – Caitlin Rowland and a part time Aboriginal Transition to Work Officer – Rhonda Finlay both located in the Wandakalua Room. Wandakalua meaning 'Welcome' in Awabakal language. We also have an Aboriginal Education Team with over 15 staff members who work effectively together for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Toronto High School runs ongoing cultural activities and programs for students during the year. Every year we have a whole school celebration for significant events such as NAIDOC and Harmony Day and participate in community events like the TLC Reconciliation Walk. We take pride in these special occasions and love watching our whole school community come together for these events.
All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have a Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) with staff members of Toronto High School fulfilling the role of PLP mentors. Each PLP is mapped out by the student and mentor at the beginning of every year. The mentor follows the progress of the student throughout the year to see if they are achieving the goals they established for themselves and/or whether the goals have changed and the PLP needs to be updated. Students who reach their goals are celebrated with an end of year reward for their achievements.
Once a term we hold 'Yarn up' afternoons. These are an open invite for our community and families to join us for afternoon tea to yarn and engage with staff, provide feedback to the school and discuss any current issues or concerns. We also have 'year 6 transition yarn ups' to invite our year 6 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students from our local feeder schools to come in for breakfast and engage with our AEO, Clontarf, Wellbeing team and Senior Executive Staff.
