Our Indigenous Year 10 Cohort were incredibly fortunate to be selected by the ARTIE program to participate in a career mentoring and job readiness program conducted by Steve Price, former Australian and Queensland Rugby League Representative and Captain of both Auckland Warriors and Canterbury Bulldogs.
Since retiring from football Steve has completed a Degree in Business and fulfils his passion for league as part of a junior coaching panel. Having teenagers of his own and a wealth of mentoring and leadership experience he was warmly welcomed by students and staff.
The program allowed students to work one-on-one with Steve over an eight month period and assisted them to identify possible careers, acknowledge the pathway required and gain job readiness skills. This was a valuable tool which reinforced our Education for Life curriculum and was supported by a trip to the FOGS career expo in Rockhampton.
Students received a special invitation to the FOGS Dinner where two of our students, Ainsley Frost and Sharna Gaston, stood in front of the many dignitaries, former Queensland Origin players and current superstars to speak about the program.
Steve’s last visit was 14th October - over the eight months of working at Toolooa SHS he became very fond and proud of our students and their achievements.
We are hoping a similar program will run again in 2014.