Aboriginal Education
Niina Marni
Ocean View College is situated on the traditional Country of the Kaurna people of the Adelaide Plains. We acknowledge and respect their deep cultural heritage, spiritual beliefs and enduring relationship with Country. We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures who live, learn and work on Kaurna Country.
The Aboriginal Education Team at Ocean View College is committed to supporting the learning, wellbeing and success of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Our school provides a dedicated space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, parents, caregivers and services to access. We warmly encourage you to visit, connect, and meet with our team. Ocean View College actively collaborates with a range of community programs and organisations to promote culture, education, and employment pathways.
These partnerships include:
- Workabout Centre
- Kura Yerlo
- Kurruru
- Tirrapendi Wodli
- Tauondi College
- TAFE SA
- C.E.G.
- University Visits
Cultural connections
The College celebrates key significant cultural events throughout the year, including:
- Reconciliation Week
- National Sorry Day
- NAIDOC Week
- Cultural Week
- Mudlhangga Magic
Through these partnerships and celebrations, we aim to strengthen cultural connections, celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity and create meaningful opportunities for all students to thrive.
Aboriginal Perspectives Across the Curriculum
The Aboriginal Education Team provides a range of services and programs to support teachers in delivering culturally responsive learning across all classrooms.
The team also works collaboratively with staff to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures within the South Australian curriculum, Australian Curriculum and the SACE curriculum, ensuring these perspectives are meaningfully embedded in teaching and learning at Ocean View College.
SAASTA: South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy
The South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with the opportunity to complete SACE subjects and VET courses through a culturally tailored and supportive program. Through their participation in SAASTA, students develop the academic, personal and leadership skills required to succeed in the areas of sport, education, health and culture.
At Ocean View College, SAASTA students are supported by a dedicated team of specialist SAASTA teachers, Aboriginal Community Education Officers (ACEOs), Aboriginal Education Teachers (AETs), and Stars and Clontarf Foundation team members. The Ocean View College Aboriginal Education Team has also developed a specialised pathway to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in successfully achieving their SACE and future career goals.
For more information please visit the SAASTA website or speak to Ocean View College’s SAASTA Coordinator, Annelise Farrelly.
Clontarf Academy
The Clontarf Foundation uses a unique, innovative and highly successful approach to target one of the most at risk groups in contemporary Australian society – young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
Using the existing passion that these boys have for sport allows Clontarf to initially attract them to school and then keep them coming. It is however, not a sporting program – it’s about developing the values, skills and abilities that will assist the boys and young men to transition into meaningful employment and achieve better life outcomes.
The Foundation partners with schools and communities to create Clontarf academies which are embedded within the school grounds and education program.
Full-time, locally based Clontarf staff mentor and counsel students on a range of behavioural and lifestyle issues while the College caters for their education needs. Any Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male enrolled at the College is eligible to participate in the Clontarf academy.
Through the use of supportive relationships and environment, the students develop improved self-esteem and confidence which enables them to participate in education, employment and society in a positive way.
Academy activities are planned within the focus areas of education, leadership, employment, well-being, life skills and sport. In order to remain in the program, participants must continue to work at school and embrace the objectives of the Foundation.
The Foundation’s approach has been very successful, not only in attracting young men to school and retaining them but also in having them embrace more disciplined, purposeful and healthy lifestyles.
For more information visit the Clontarf Website
Stars Program
Stars Foundation improves health, education and employment outcomes for First Nations girls and young women across Australia. Ocean View College partnered with Stars Foundation in 2024 to support and enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women to make active choices towards realising their full potential in all aspects of their development and wellbeing.
National program
Established in 2015, Stars Foundation mentors and empowers around 4,000+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls and young women in 75+ primary and secondary schools operating across all mainland states and the Northern Territory. Stars Foundation is proud to work with an Indigenous led Board and growing team of 250, of which 75% are Indigenous and 92% are working in program-facing roles with young women.
Program focus
Stars Foundation improves outcomes for First Nations young women by providing evidence-based full-time mentoring and engagement programs from the dedicated Stars Room of partner schools. Stars Foundation focuses on four pillars designed to improve health and education outcomes. These include:
- Education, Training and Employment – encourages active engagement in education and the development of positive plans for a successful transition into employment or further study.
- Healthy Lifestyles – addresses healthy habits for life including nutrition, self-care and personal hygiene, sport and fitness.
- Wellbeing – focuses on personal wellbeing and mental health.
- Community, Culture and Leadership – celebrates First Nations culture and encourages activity within communities which develops confidence and pride.
The impact of Stars
Stars Foundation helps students remain engaged at school, complete Year 12 and transition into work or further study and build a positive and independent future. Together we are championing gender equity and equal opportunities for First Nations girls, while building confidence and life skills.
For further information visit starsfoundation.org.au or contact the partner school Aboriginal Education Team.
