Aquaculture conference in Tasmania

Hello Jean
I am writing to both thank you and compliment you regarding the recent international aquaculture events in Tasmania.

I’d like to thank you for assisting Joe Coco to attend the AquaEd Workshop in Launceston. Joe is a vital part of the aquaculture educators network in Australia. He gave a couple of excellent presentations – one in particular detailing challenging (and impressively successful) training with indigenous students. Joe is popular and highly respected in the seafood industry and training circles, and I believe that the AquaEd Workshop would have been far the poorer without his manifold important, inspirational and interesting contributions.

I’d also like to compliment you, Djarragun College and Joe on the conduct of the two students – Craig and Grayson - who accompanied Joe during the two events. The daily activities throughout the events were often highly technical, frequently long and occasionally probably boring for those two young men. At all times, however, Grayson and Craig conducted themselves in an absolutely exemplary manner, which I know (from private comments during the events) was noticed and noted by many influential people from industry and educational organisations from all over Australia. They were very, very good ambassadors for Djarragun College.

So thank you Jean, and my compliments to you on your excellent work.

Yours sincerely,
Peter Preece
Aquaculture Coordinator
TAFE SA Urrbrae Campus

Here is another vote of confidence from Roy Palmer

HOPE By Mark Akiba 12B 201

If hope could be a colour it would be as green as
Mt Walsh’s Pyramid nestling in the sun.

If hope could be a taste it would taste just like
freshly cooked chocolate cake from the DC cafe.

If hope could be a smell it would smell like
the beautiful flowers outside Mr Shankran’s office.

If hope could be a sound it would
pump the whole world with the DC Band.

If hope could be are feeling it would be
like leaving Djarragun College passing Year 12.

If hope could be an animal it would be a
cheetah, like Usain Bolt, Spiriting towards the finishing line.

My hope for this year is to study hard and enjoy every single moment here in Djarragun College, but most importantly complete year 12.

Biodiversity Year 11 & 12 Trade

Julie Dutoit, a Community Education Ranger from the Department of Environment and Resource Management, spoke to Year 11 and 12 Trade English about biodiversity. She sparked a lively discussion about the threats to biodiversity, specifically the threats to the Wet Tropics World Heritage areas. She used local examples such as the Southern Cassowary and the Lemuroid Ringtail Possum to demonstrate that the biodiversity of the Wet Tropics is under threat.

Year 11 and 12 Trade students have embarked on a campaign to protect the Southern Cassowary by becoming involved in a 'Save the Cassowary Campaign'. Students have voiced their concern by writing to Peter Garrett (Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts) to help protect Cassowary habitat. For more information, or to become involved, visit www.savethecassowary.org.au.

There are many stars in Year 11 and 12 Trade, however special mention must be given to Kenisha and Daniel who always demonstrate a great attitude and complete classwork and homework!

Ms. Amy

Weipa Cultural Festival

Recently I had the pleasure of attending what would have to be one of the best camps in my 20 years of teaching. We could not have asked for a better bunch of people to spend hours and hours with as we travelled the long, bumpy and dusty road to Weipa and back.

The senior students on camp were supportive of me and my family. My two children, Jonas and Heidi, performed with the encouragement of all the students. To see little Heidi and Jonas up on stage with the older students made me rather emotional. We felt like we were part of ONE BIG FAMILY. The staff, parents and students touched our hearts and we will never forget this trip and the talent that was on show.

Thank you to everyone for giving my family such a wonderful learning experience.

“Mama G

Fame & Fortune

Kaisiana's Journey is a book that encapsulates her life in the Torres Strait. She recently spent a week in Canberra at the National Museum as part of her story, gaining valuable insight and experience in the nation's capital. It is incredible that a book has already been written about Kaisiana and is an indication of future success for one of our most likeable and able students. More power to you!

IT with Mr Tony & Mr Mike

Mr Tony & Mr Mike have been getting students through their Cert 1 in IT with some pleasing results. Take a look at these assessment tasks:

VET - Health Services Assistance

On May 18th, John Gabey, Elizabeth Gebadi and Annie Mabo completed two more of their competencies towards their Certificate lll in Health Services Assistance.

After weeks of preparation, the students completed three tasks:
• creating a wiki as a team and presenting a 2 minute speech on an aspect of indigenous health. You can see this at:
http://wiki.djarragun.college/groups/nursingpracticalassessment

• Practical work involving making beds, caring for clients, moving clients and infection control procedures. (see photos)

• An oral test where students answered questions about their actions and gave reasons for procedures.

They performed exceptionally well and completed each task with confidence and a sound knowledge of the material taught. Our lecturer was impressed! The students are completing their last few written assessments towards their course and will finish by the end of term.

Words of encouragement from the recent CEO visit about DC...

Thursday provided us with one of the most amazing experiences of our trip. Remote Housing and Djarrugan Enterprises introduced us to an incredible group of young men. Our photographers went off the scale and Mick came into to his own here with his kind of people!!!

BUT nothing could prepare us for almost 600 kids singing the National Anthem at Djarrugan College. Met by Jean and the school prefects, all dressed in red we were escorted us to the stadium. Tears flowed everywhere then these turned to smiles as we enjoyed dance group after dance group. Leigh summed it up beautifully and left the kids with a great message. The tour of the school just continued to amaze; agriculture, engineering, carpentry, hospitality and hairdressing complimented the academic stream in the school . Jean and the prefects joined us at the Wilderness centre to meet potential Indigenous Navy recruits.

Inspiration,success, hope and opportunity dominated our last day. I can say no more!!!

Thank you all for the contribution you made as individuals and ultimately as a small community of like minded leaders.

Regards
Karyn
Karyn Baylis
Chief Executive
Indigenous Enterprise Partnerships

11B and 12B ENGLISH COMMUNICATION

12B are buzzing in anticipation of the Senior Conference. Since finding out the topic for this year’s conference is HOPE, the ideas have been flying around about what type of Multimedia presentation to do. To get in the mood and fully understand what the term HOPE means to each student, we wrote poems about what HOPE means to us as individuals. Below are some samples of 12B HOPE POETRY…..

By Delita 12B

If hope could be a colour
It would be blue
as beautiful as the sky
If hope could be a taste
It would taste just like sugar candy
If hope could be a smell
It would be Kup Mari Turtle – Traditional way
If hope could be a sound
It would be Cousin and Brothers singing Island songs
If hope could be a feeling
It would be happy all the time
If hope could be an animal
It would be a flying fox flying in the noontime heading North

This year I hope all year 12 students will graduate successfully from Djarragun College

For the future I hope that everything in my life will be good!


Michael Geas…. Hope

If Hope could be a colour it would be BLUE
As Cool as The Great big Ocean
If Hope could be a taste it would taste just like Crunchy Chips
If Hope could be a smell it would be
The smell of the salty sea
If Hope could be a sound it would be
AIM 4 More who plays Reggae songs
If Hope could be a feeling it would be
Watching my uncle playing the Guitar
If Hope would be an animal it would be
A Dove flying up in the big blue sky

This year I Hope to Graduate Yr 12.
For the Future I hope to get a good job at a five Star Restaurant.

What a week it has been! The 11B students completed work on Metaphors, Personification, Rhyme, Rhythm and Alliteration. The classes were packed with writing, reading and fun games. Below are some poems for your enjoyment.

THE FLOWER

It looks
As pretty as a rainbow
Alone
Just sitting in a beautiful vase
The flower sings a romantic song
At the dinner table

By Arron Miller

THE FOOTBALL

The football flies fast
Like a running river
Its smile floats across
The blue sky
It dances through the air
Like a bird
“You can catch it,
GO FOR IT!”

By Arthur Dau

THE RIVER

The river runs alone
It dies slowly
Wishing people around
Swimming in it to
Help make it happy
To bring back the memories
It had in the past
As it dies alone
Unhappy without memories for the future

By Ronjamin Mosby

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it's SUPERMAN!

Here is super athlete Christopher Lei Baragud in full flight playing touch against St Mary's. Chris has been selected for the Regional Touch team to play against teams from around Australia. Chris also plays Oz Tag and represented FNQ and QLD as well as regular stints in AFL and plays rugby league for the under 18s Cairns Kangaroos. He may well be the superstar of the future!

Chris also likes DJ'ing R&B and pop. He comes from a remote island in the Torres Straits called Yam island (IAMA). He is a sporty type person and never runs out of energy and he loves his job at PVS Workfind formally IPA. He attends Tafe and is in the process of completing Certificate III Business and Administration and attends school in a regular basis.

ENGLISH COMMUNICATION TERM 2

It's an exciting term ahead for 12B. The students are working hard preparing a Multimedia Presentation about the Challenges and Opportunities senior students have at Djarragun College. They look forward to sharing the finished products with the senior school.

11B students are exploring different types of poems and songs. This week we worked with similes. Below are samples of Simile Poems written by students.

Emu and Shark
The emu runs fast
Like a steam train in a desert place
The shark swims as fast
As a rocket to the moon
The emu’s feet are like GIANT’S hands
Banging on the table in an angry way
The shark slides on the bottom of the floor
Like a snake looking for food

By Carmen Noah

The Butterfly and the Bird
The butterfly is as beautiful
As a rose
The bird is as colourful as
A rainbow
The butterfly’s wings flutter
Like a feather in the wind
The bird looks for food like a hunter in the forest

The butterfly comes out of its cocoon
It looks like a wet tissue in the rain
After its wings dry
It will fly away
Looking for flowers in someone’s
Garden

By Kayleen Yeatman

The Turtle and the Kangaroo
The turtle is graceful like
A dancer on the stage
The kangaroo is jumpy like
A jumping spider
The turtle’s shell is hard like concrete under the ground
The kangaroo’s skin is soft like sweet fairy floss

The turtle lives in a warm ocean
It swims like a gliding plane in a bright blue sky
Looking for jellyfish to eat in a quiet place
The turtle is very sleepy like a bear after
Hibernation

by Roselyn Billy

Leadership Course April 2010

The recent Leadership Course run by Annalise and Dave from Dynamic Exchange at Djarragun College was a resounding success. It was a three day course that built trust, understanding and skills for our future leaders in years 12, 11 & 10. The course has an ongoing component where Annalise will be coming back to continue what has already started.

The students involved in the course are:
Craig Waldon, Zoey Geas, Jaharla Hart, Flora Wallit, Koza Coburn, Judith Carney, Ali Dau, Rhiannon Hill, Daniella Ware, Christopher Lei, Grayson Hart, Naomi Cooktown, Ettiekai (Tim) China, John Gabey, Stephanie Kabai, Ida Sam, Lane Ingui, Helen Wallit, Nikkarla Dotoi, Issac Maite, Joseph Geas, Michelle Cooktown,Nora Geas and Patricia Tom.

Some brilliant photos taken by Mr Ludo can be found on this link - please click here.

Some of the key aspects to come out of the program are; getting out of your comfort zone, opening one's heart and mind, transforming from good to great. See some of the student feedback forms below and you will get a good idea of what students are going through: