“ N a v i g a t i n g Y U M I t o a s u c c e s s f u l f u t u r e ”

T A G A I S T A T E C O L L E G ECelebrating 10 Years as Tagai State College

Boarding School Blissby Salli-Anne HartExecutive Services Manager

Boarding school can mean a big transition for students, especially when it is combined with moving to a new community and high school.

But students at Canon Boggo Pilot Hostel and Kaziw Meta College all seem to take it in their stride, saying the fun they have playing sport is a highlight, along with being able to access more opportunities on Thursday Island than at home.

Conwell Bani, Assistant Houseparent at Canon Boggo Pilot, remarked, “This place is a second home for our students. We take the time to talk with students about our family tree connections, and this helps students to know they have someone – a brother, uncle, sister or aunty – that they share a bond with who is looking out for them.”

The biggest challenge for young people seems to be feeling homesick.

One boarding student said, “It’s hard when I miss my family. But my friends sit with me and we get through it together.”

Students were talking about their study options on Thursday Island. A senior student said, “I like the idea you can do hospitality, marine studies, manual arts and culture.”

Another boarding student spoke about her personal highlight, “The most satisfying moment is when I open my report card and see my grades. It’s then that I can see the result of all the work I have put in.”

Waybeni Koey Ngurpay Mudh’s Head of Campus, Mr John Duus, described the smooth start to the school year. “We are really pleased with how the Year 7 students are going. They are settling in well. It is a

credit to their teachers and our support team that we have had such a positive beginning.”

The students seem to agree. One student remarked, “I love school because the teachers get to know you and want to help.”

Another student chimed in, “You make many good friends as kids at this school care and want to go places.”

Principal at Kaziw Meta, Ms Irene Laifoo, talked about students’ academic and personal development. “At Kaziw Meta, we create routines so that students have a framework to prioritise their studies and achieve well in school. There is time to make friends, play sport, go to the shops and develop their other interests, such as Navy Cadets.”

“Boarders are kept busy with activities like bingo, trivia, cooking and fishing competitions, and our favourite passtime, swimming in the pool and the ocean,” said Ms Laifoo.

Ms Laifoo added, “Safety and security is a priority for all those boarding at Kaziw Meta. We pride ourselves in providing a nurturing and caring environment for everyone. We have a dynamic team of responsible, caring and dedicated Houseparents who all live on site so we can be available at all times to family group homes.”

Ms Laifoo said of her work, “It’s a real privilege to be part of young people’s lives and their education. Sometimes parents call me to share their concerns and celebrations. That partnership with families is really important to us. We all want the best for every young person.”

Acting Hostel Manager, Ms Ellen Mills, described students as being at the heart of Canon Boggo Pilot. “Parents choose boarding school on Thursday Island because we provide a safe environment for all students to come in to TI for high school. We also have a great location – it is one minute’s

walk away from the beach, the football oval, IBIS and the hospital, and less than five minutes to walk into town.”

Naomi Mills-Kusu at Canon Boggo Pilot said, “We are one family here. When the students told us that they wanted to form an island dance group, we were keen to support them. The students are looking forward to dancing at Mura Kosker’s International Women’s Day celebration dinner on 8 March.”

Belford Larry, Recreation and Activity Officer for Canon Boggo Pilot, talked about the activities he provides for students. “We play sports, such as touch football, volleyball and basketball. The students’ favourite activities are going fishing and swimming.”

Ms Mills said, “As house parents who care about each young person, we have the skills and experience to help them through the tough times. We give them support and sit together to yarn about everything. The senior students are a great support for the new students as they arrive and settle in.”

A Year 10 student who has boarded at Kaziw Meta since beginning high school was asked what advice she would give to a student who felt nervous about moving to TI for boarding school. She said, ”Don’t be afraid. Just come. We’ll look after you.”

Staff from Canon Boggo Pilot Hostel: Conwell Bani, Ellen Mills, Henrietta Thompson, Kimle Mene, and Belford Larry.

The Canon Boggo Pilot Family.

Year 7 boarding students: Samuel, Romina, Chantelle and Vanessa with Head of Campus, John Duus.

For more information, please contact:

Ms Ellen Mills, Acting Hostel Manager, Canon Boggo Pilot HostelM: 0458 197 775 | P: 4090 3246

Ms Irene Laifoo, Principal, Kaziw Meta CollegeP: 4069 1284 | M: 0457 751 368

Mr John Duus, Head of Campus, Waybeni Koey Ngurpay Mudh. P: 4212 0222

Kaziw Meta students at Waybeni Koey Ngurpay Mudh’s oval: Tomi, Phil, Suannah, Nakita, Allanah and Anna Sue with Houseparents, Henry Bell and Gerard Allas.

Tagai State College31 Hargrave Street | PO Box 1000Thursday Island QLD 4875

Web www.tagaisc.eq.edu.auPhone 07 4030 6308 | Fax 07 4030 6303Email contact@tagaisc.eq.edu.au

T A G A I S T A T E C O L L E G ECelebrating 10 Years as Tagai State College

Little Johnathan’s first day of Prep. Dan our Groundsman.

School Spirit

Ms Lily with Pre-Prep to Year 2. Ms Annie’s class.

Mr Maira Jackonia delivers the water to classrooms with a smile.

Above: Students from the Year 2/3 class are happy with the fresh and clean water.

Water arrives from IBIS. Thanks also goes to Terry and the IBIS staff for their support.

Students from Mrs Edwards Year 3/4 class celebrate the arrival.

Our Mabuiag Island Pre-Preps’ first day.

Fresh water saves the day at Saibai

by Vanessa StevensHead of CampusMabuygiw Ngurpay Lag

by Paula TweedieHead of CampusKadhego Ngurpay Lag

”“When I feel thirsty I want to drink the water. It is nice and clean water

– Brenden, Year 1

The staff and students at Kadhego Campus were grateful to receive 1,800 bottles of fresh water on the first day of school from Tagai State College.

What a speedy response to our critical situation by the Tagai Facilities Team and the local BAS Senior Officers. It is reassuring for our campus staff and parents to know that our college systems are very effective for dealing with such emergencies.

Saibai recently experienced a critical water situation that resulted in E.coli being detected in the island’s water supply. Steve Foster, Associate Principal and BAS quickly organised for water bottles to be purchased from the local IBIS store. These were provided to the staff and students whilst they attended school.

Safety and well-being of the staff and students remained the priority for the college and encouraged students to attend and enrol in school before Day 8.

The Torres Strait Island Regional Council had recommended that all residents of Saibai drink boiled or bottled water until further notice.

The Tagai Facilities team will continue to monitor the water situation and provide staff and students with water bottles until the Torres Strait Island Regional Council advises the community that the local water is once again good for drinking.

“Koeyma Eso“ to staff from Tagai, BAS and IBIS for their concern, level of care and support to us all.

Mabuygiw Ngurpay Lag’s dedicated staff returned well rested and excited about beginning the school year.

Staff had fun dancing the Zumba as part of a health and wellbeing session.

On the first day of school, students returned dressed in their uniforms and ready for teaching and learning.

Our focus remains on attending school every day and working in partnership with families for every child’s learning journey.

We welcome back all our families, staff and students.

We also give a warm welcome to new students and families, and our new staff member, Mrs Mavis Joe.