School: Clontarf Aboriginal College (WA)
Partner: Police and Citizens Youth Club, Rotary Clubs of WA, Royal Automobile Club of WA
Clontarf Aboriginal College is an urban secondary school catering for Aboriginal students from several states in Australia. The school has a range of programs in place to provide for a unique group of students to address academic, sporting, vocational and life skills. The school has a range of programs in place to combat low literacy and numeracy levels and inadequate resources.
Partnerships with community, industry and professional groups have been developed in recent years to further enhance educational outcomes and address specific community needs. One such partnership has been established with the Police and Citizens Youth Centre, three local Rotary Clubs, and the Royal Automobile Club of WA.
The College is aware of the unsafe and unlicensed driving practices in which many students, especially those from rural and remote communities, are engaging. Without resources or expertise to provide safe driving opportunities for young people from these areas, communities have been unable to address this growing problem.
The partnership program will provide training for students to pass the Provisional Licence (P-plate) test through comprehensive safe-driver education and the required minimum of 25 hours supervised driving. The Police and Citizens Youth Centre, Aboriginal Driver Education Program, which is currently experiencing a shortfall in attendance, will provide two qualified driving instructors who specialise in instructing post-secondary school, disadvantaged youth. The Royal Automobile Club of WA presents road safety workshops at the school and will incorporate these into the program. Three Rotary Clubs will provide volunteers to supervise students while they gain valuable experience behind the wheel.
With the help of funds from the Schools First Awards, Clontarf Aboriginal College will be able to purchase for the program a dual-controlled vehicle, maintain qualified driving instructor assistance, and cover general running costs involved with supporting and advertising the program.
A Memorandum of Understanding will be developed so that community partner roles and ownership of assets are clearly defined and there will be regular reviews of the program.
It is hoped that through the program, students will have the opportunity to become licensed, safe and responsible drivers under appropriate nurturing conditions, and, perhaps most importantly, that they can develop attitudes and values consistent with a safe and healthy lifestyle within a road safety context, which will not only benefit the students but also the broader community.
It is anticipated that students will gain self-esteem, confidence and a sense of self-worth from the program, and enhance their chances of employment.
