Evaluation of the Ngaramura “See the Way” Program - Community Report

Abstract

Since 2018 the Ngaramura “See the Way” Program has provided an alternative education service for Aboriginal young people suspended or risk of suspension from school in the Illawarra region of NSW. Ngaramura provides a unique educational and cultural learning environment that meets the needs of Aboriginal students facing challenges in their school and social environments.  Four key concepts underlie Ngaramura: Re-connecting with education though culture and identity; Elders as holders of Indigenous cultural knowledge and history; culturally safe spaces for young people to learn and thrive; and Culture continuity through young people. Ngaramura operationalises these key concepts by: learning through Culture; adapting the Community setting as a cultural learning place; linking young people, families and schools; asserting Aboriginal identity in relationships with schools; connecting young people to services; and providing supportive pathways to address educational and employment disadvantage  A total of 87 students (Years 7 to 12) from 5 local high schools, participated in Ngaramura over a 3 year evaluation period (2018-2020) which included lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The program met its key outcomes for Aboriginal young people, families, school and the Coomaditchie organisation. There is clear evidence of the program’s positive impact on the young Aboriginal people. Students reported experiencing school ‘differently’, more positively, following participation in Ngaramura. Parents and school staff witnessed a greater sense of pride, sense of belonging and self-worth, in students. School staff reported being able to build better relationships with students; while students appreciated that there were a team of people supporting them.  Schools reported increased retention of Indigenous students, increased school attendance, greater cooperation. In the absence of Ngaramura, it is likely that many of the young Aboriginal participants would have left the education system, unable to keep up with schoolwork, or through expulsion.  Ngaramura helped parents overcome barriers to supporting their children’s success at school, through the Family Support Worker, referral pathways, transport assistance and access to resources.  Current policy acknowledges that valuing and respecting culture underlies effort to support Indigenous young people to thrive and reach their potential. Innovative programs such as Ngaramura are uniquely able to fill this much needed place-based cultural input, with local Indigenous knowledge from respected Elders who know the Community and are experts in local Indigenous history.  Coomaditchie is a place of cultural, environmental and historical significance for Aboriginal people in the Illawarra. The delivery of Ngaramura on Country at Coomaditchie is a key element to the success of the program. The two Cultural Workers who are well respected Elders provided vital cultural leadership within the program  Evidence shows that when supported by strengths-based, high-expectations approaches, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people can thrive in education and be supported to reach their potential. To enable this, school environments must be culturally safe and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures must be valued, respected and visibly present. Ngaramura reflects these practices, providing a highly specialised program rich in culture and a place where the young Aboriginal people thrive in an educational environment.