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Culture Heals is a holistic program to improve attendance for Indigenous students, strengthen cultural identity and enhance well-being.
JVT is passionate about closing gaps in education, and supporting rural, regional and remote Queensland communities to thrive. The two outcomes are closely connected; when young people are engaged in their education and set up for success, the whole community benefits.
The value of the Schools Plus coaching program has already been proven. Their support to school leaders, combined with language and cultural programs has previously delivered positive impacts for students, schools and communities in country Queensland. So when they approached JVT for funding to support the Culture Heals program at Mossman State School (MSS), we knew this was a deserving and valuable initiative.
The Culture Heals program aims to foster meaningful cultural engagement and connection for Indigenous students, support their academic success, help them connect with their heritage, and strengthen community and family involvement in school activities.
It has the potential to have a transformative impact on students, families, educators and the wider community, which is why JVT is proud to partner with Schools Plus as they work with MSS to plan, implement and embed the program.
We know that an Indigenous Language program can drive a dramatic increase in student academic performance, improve student wellbeing and behaviour, increase enrolments, and enhance parent engagement. MSS has experienced the benefits a language program can bring, having had a successful initiative underway – supported by the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation – before COVID took its toll.
By integrating culture and language into their educational journey, MSS will rebuild a culturally supportive and inclusive atmosphere where students and families feel genuinely connected.
From 2018-2020 the school delivered a Kuku Yalanji Language Program that proved the power of cultural engagement and the value of working alongside Indigenous communities to co-design and deliver programs.
Through Culture Heals, the school plans to build on this engagement by immersing students in culturally meaningful activities including: Country, Language, Dance, Story, Song, Art, and Relationships. This program is key to closing the attendance gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and driving meaningful change.
The Culture Heals program aligns with our mission and goals and meets our criteria for support.
Partnerships and collaboration
By partnering with Schools Plus MSS gains experience, knowledge and a network of support. Schools Plus will help educators build capability and confidence to take the program into the future.
The community, Kubirriwarra Elders, and Kuku Yalanji Language Advisory Group (KYLAG) will also help bring cultural expertise, authenticity and guidance to the program.
Harm prevention and early intervention to bring better outcomes
Getting in early is a key strategy for the school to set students on a positive path, enhance their readiness to learn and improve attendance and academic outcomes as they progress.
Ideas that are community-led, driven or informed
Mossman State School and the local community reached out to Schools Plus for further support to implement this program. They identified a need in their community and a way to address it. Their passion, engagement and commitment helped secure support and investment in this valuable work.
Projects that have deep or multiple impacts
The previous language program had a transformative impact on Mossman State School and the broader community. Improvements were seen in student performance, well-being, and behaviour. Parent engagement increased and community perceptions shifted. Increased enrolments and a rise in the school’s reputation as a ‘school of choice’ demonstrated the program’s success.
Investments that build organisation and sector capacity which will outlast our involvement
Through the Schools Plus partnership, the program is expected to significantly increase the capacity of Mossman State School, its partner organisations, and the local community: