By Kirsty Ross
TUTORS are singing the praises of a homework program for students with Pacific backgrounds.
A consortium of community leaders developed the the Pacific Homework Support Centre program, which they launched last Thursday in the Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre, after receiving a government grant.
Brown Roots Pacific Arts Collective initiated the program – in partnership with BayWest Youth Housing, Vic University, Re-connect West, and Fusion – to help support Pacific youngsters through school.
Three tutors and a group of volunteers will teach students about their rich history and encourage them to stay at school longer.
Grace Vanilau, who helped co-ordinate the program, said the launch was like a “mini concert”.
“There were all these great speakers, great performances, and great food,” she said.
Ms Vanilau said teaching students about their traditionally aural culture could help them learn and engage in school studies.
“Young people find it hard to sit in a classrooms with a teacher at the front,” Ms Vanilau said.
She said a hands-on method of body percussion and interactive fun encouraged a better response.
Ms Vanilau is a cultural adviser to schools including The Grange P-12 College and the Bayside Secondary College.
These schools and the Altona Secondary College have also sought help from local islander elders, who spend time engaging students during lunch times through arts like weaving, dance and bone carving.
Tai Pari, a Maori elder with two of the schools, said he was pleased with the progress made over the past three years, as an increasing number of children showed interest.
He said the homework program would be a welcome addition to the group’s efforts in raising cultural awareness. Milan Matejin, principal of Bayside Secondary College Altona North campus, has backed the homework program since its inception.
He wants students to pick up and access knowledge and strive for work environments beyond Year 9 and 10.
Ten students from the college will join the homework group.
“A lot of them tended to jump off board and try to find low-skill type jobs,” he said.
“But, over the past five years that has changed a lot, as more and more kids are staying on, and parents are providing support and structure for them.
“It’s been a shift, but what’s happened here is that a community group has decided to take the initiative and do it themselves for their own.”
The Pacific Homework Support Centre program runs every Thursday from 5.30pm until 7.30pm in the Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre.
Anyone interested in getting more information should call 9315 0061.
