Acting on community demand and on behalf of the parents and family unit, Murlpirrmarra Connection provides a unique level of pastoral care for Aboriginal students (aged 12 – 18) who wish to pursue educational opportunities not available in their local area.
Murlpirrmarra Connection is not aligned to any specific school or boarding facility, rather we are a vehicle to all education providers requested by our supported students. Over time we have built connections with various schools across Western Australia, including Clontarf Aboriginal College, Edmund Rice College, North Albany Senior High School, Esperance Senior High School, and Carmel Adventist College.
Murlpirrmarra Connection provides the following functions:
- provide students with access to 24/7 mentoring;
- write and submit school, boarding and ABSTUDY applications;
- organise student travel, including taking students to and from the airport to school;
- obtain identification documents for students (for example, a Birth Certificate, Medicare card and Passport);
- obtain medical documents (for example, immunisation records) and support with health checks;
- purchase personal supplies for students for school and boarding (for example, uniform, toiletries, hygiene products, linen, bedding and clothes);
- advocate and represent the interests of the student at school and boarding.
- act as a conduit between the school and boarding facility and parents / family;
- support students to engage in activities and events within and outside of school (for example school leadership camps and Murlpirrmarra reward days);
- organise counselling or provide access to rehabilitation services if required; and
- facilitate training / employment opportunities and work readiness (including support in obtaining a Driver’s License, White and Blue Cards and Educational / Training Certificates).
To deliver these functions, Murlpirrmarra Connection works with a range of stakeholders, including local community groups and organisations, government agencies, medical services, sporting clubs and associations, and other not for profit organisations. This enables us to coordinate an end-to end process with other key service providers, providing direct support and intervention, which prevents any participant from ‘falling between the cracks’.
Murlpirrmarra Connection works with all students, irrespective of their educational capacity, and is proud to have changed the lives of individuals who may not have otherwise completed school and had the opportunity to pursue their aspirations.