About Wanta Aboriginal Corporation:

Wanta Aboriginal Corporation works with schools in a number of remote Northern Territory communities to encourage indigenous children to attend school on a daily basis. Through a variety of measures we provide support for learning and on-going development so that the opportunity for education is maximised and lifetime poverty and disadvantage can be overcome.

This position is based in the Yuendumu School. Yuendumu is based 290km North-West of Alice Springs, the school is a preschool to year 12 and has approx. 240 students on the roll.

The Key responsibilities of this role include:

Managing the Male Wanta Program:

The purpose of the Wanta program is to support stronger engagement in the education system for indigenous youth living in remote areas through the provision of sport, recreation and cultural leadership opportunities.

The Community Engagement Manager (CEM) will be required to organise and facilitate a range of sport and recreation activities that aims to improve the health and fitness of male students and promote a healthy lifestyle, including:

• Weekly sporting activities:
  • Sports clinics and games are conducted 2 afternoons per week for Year 6-12 male students
  • AFL game is held every Friday afternoon as a reward for school attendance and behaviour
  • Skill acquisition sessions are held regularly as a specific reward for behaviour.
• Reward trips and activities:
  • Organise two trips per school term for Year 6-12 male students with attendance above 60% and the appropriate behaviour. One trip is to another community and the other trip is to either Alice Springs or interstate
  • Two Sports Carnivals are held in community per term
  • Coordinate Movie nights and specific young men sessions
• Opening the Academy Room:
  • The Academy Room is open every morning from 8.30-9.00am
  • The Academy Room is also open at morning recess and lunchtime to provide the students with a comfortable setting to relax and engage in activities outside of school period. As a reward the Academy Room is occasionally open after school

The CEM will facilitate and oversee ways to improve the numeracy and literacy levels of students by providing classroom support and delivering education sessions related to employment pathways including:

• Organise Academy Officers to assist in the classroom:
  • The CEM and Academy Officers are engaged in the classroom to support better behaviour and to reduce the amount of teasing, swearing and inappropriate behaviour
  • CEM and Academy Officers provide one-on-one tutor support to students as well as acting as mentors to the students
  • Academy Officers support the delivery of innovative education programs through the use of bilingual learning to more strongly engage the students
  • The CEM will deliver the Social Enterprise in Schools Curriculum on a weekly basis

• Organise and facilitate Reward trips, Bush trips and events:
  • The CEM will create a calendar of events for each school term with 3-4 events offered to students. Each trip and event is used as an incentive to increase school attendance and improve behaviour in the classroom and the playground. A points system is used for each student in the lead up to each particular trip and or event, which classroom teachers will assist with

The CEM will work with other organisations in community to provide students with the opportunity to explore vocational education and training. Previous examples of this include preparing and serving meals at the Old peoples program, working with local Rangers, work experience at the local radio station and the mechanics workshop.

Learning on Country Coordinator:

An important component of the Yuendumu School curriculum is the learning on country program. This gives the students an opportunity to learn about culture and history while out on significant sites in the region.

The CEM will be required to work with classroom teachers, local elders and community members to coordinate a weekly bush trip in the local region by completing the following tasks:

• Speak to the relevant TO’s about accessing their homelands
• Working with the Classroom Teacher to determine the learning content for the trip
• Ensure all vehicles and equipment are ready and functional for the trip
• Follow up with Teacher on necessary learning

• Country Visit Week – Term 3
  • Coordinate all logistics including sites, food, equipment, staff in the lead up to the event
  • Manage the budget and work with the School Business Manager for purchasing, orders etc.

Selection Criteria:

Essential:

• Qualifications at a tertiary level in education and/or previous experience in a similar role
• Experience working with indigenous youths and/or working in remote communities in a sport related environment
• Demonstrated ability of program management, delivery, evaluation and reporting
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders
• Resilient outlook and ability to cope with stressful and sometimes confronting situations
• A current NT driver’s licence, and a current bus licence or the ability to obtain this
• A current OCHRE (working with children check), or the ability to obtain

Salary package includes:

• Full housing and amenities provided in Yuendumu
• Salary based on previous experience and qualifications
• 8 weeks annual leave per year
• Bonuses including airfares, and some weekend accommodation in Alice Springs