In an outstanding outcome for the NRL’s School 2 Work program, 13 Sutherland Shire students have been successful in receiving offers from a number of Universities in and around the Sydney region.
School 2 Work supports Indigenous students in transitioning from school to either the workforce or additional study, with the program granted $6.3 million in Australian Federal Government funding in supporting the initiative through until 2020.
Daniel Bismire (De La Salle College), Kezia Blackledge (Sylvania HS), Laine Ferrington (Port Hacking HS), Kirra Castle (Lucas Heights Community HS), Kieran Fields (Endeavour HS), Kaneesha Charles (Sylvania HS), Mitchell Francis (Heathcote HS), Matthew Stuart (Woolooware HS), Lili Higgins (Woolooware HS), Bailey Gental (St Johns Bosco College), Thomas Squire (St Johns Bosco College), Mikaela Cripps (Woolooware HS) and Dylan Hutchinson (Jannali HS) will now move onto their various tertiary courses at the University of Wollongong, Western Sydney University, University of Sydney and/or University of NSW.
The Sharks, with former NRL player Daniel Holdsworth working as the School 2 Work project officer, facilitate and support a program which helps Indigenous students make a successful move from secondary school to work or study.
Figures indicate that less than half of indigenous students complete their Higher School Certificate, however those within the School 2 Work program have a 98 per cent success rate in transitioning from school to the workforce or further study.
As the club’s dedicated School 2 Work project officer Holdsworth mentored the 13 students, supported them during HSC studies, then assisted with applications and their subsequent acceptance into their chosen University courses.
The School 2 Work program compliments the Sharks efforts in establishing a Reconciliation Action Plan which was adopted by the club in 2017.
Lead Photo - Port Hacking High School graduate Laine Ferrington
