Two Colo High students graduated last week from the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) – an educational initiative designed to give Indigenous students the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence to finish school at the same rate as their peers.
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Chloe Little, 17, from North Richmond, said she became involved in the program through the school.
She and classmate Ebony Mifsud, who both recently finished Year 12, have attended AIME sessions together since Year 9.
‘‘The program involves being exposed to university and your pathways when finishing school and it involves being proud about our culture and about being Aboriginal,’’ Chloe told the Gazette, adding that she would encourage other students to get involved in the program.
‘‘I think it’s good to have some assistance as it can be a bit daunting finishing school and seeing what’s next.’’
Ebony, also 17, from Tennyson, said the AIME program helped her find a pathway towards achieving one of her biggest goals.
‘‘It has helped show me that anything is possible and we shouldn’t be restricted because of our culture.
‘‘It helped us find ways to do things we want to do after high school — I really wanted to go to uni so it’s helped me make steps towards achieving that,’’ she told the Gazette.
‘‘I think it really helps. Even if you don’t want to go to uni it shows ways to go to TAFE and do apprenticeships.’’
AIME Western Sydney co-ordinator Hannah Cheeseman said about 390 students in years 9 to 12 took up the program, which includes outreach and academic tutoring.
Last year, 93per cent of Year 10 AIME participants continued to Year 11.
‘‘We start in Year 9 because that’s typically a year where kids start to disengage,’’ she said.
‘‘Generally you get kids who don’t talk in class come to AIME and they get up and perform a rap, or become involved in a drama production, or say a speech as the first Indigenous prime minister of Australia. Whatever it is they tend to step up more than they do at school, which is really cool to see.’’
Ms Cheeseman, who also mentors Chloe and Ebony, recently helped the girls fill out applications for Sydney and Macquarie universities.
Both girls want to enter the business world.
Chloe hopes to do a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in finance, and Ebony hopes to study for a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in human resources.
