Homework made happy at Myimbarr

At 4pm on Tuesday, a group of school children are at the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation Cultural Centre in Kenny St, working happily and diligently on their homework and school projects. Dotted among them are University of Wollongong students – laughing and helping the children get their work done as well as being part of the weekly cultural activities.

This is the Myimbarr homework centre, which UOW’s Dean of Education Professor Paul Chandler says is a model for best practice in engaging young people in a love of learning beyond the classroom.

School students come from schools around the Illawarra, with some travelling for more than an hour to the weekly gathering. Here they are matched with mentors who are studying at university in a related area to their homework.

The homework centre has been running for two years, and was started by Tina McGhie, Sheree Rankmore and Evie Rankmore from the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation Cultural Centre, with help from Professor Chandler, Dr Julie Kiggins and other UOW staff and students.

The centre was originally staffed by UOW staff and Primary Education students from the Enhanced Teacher Training Program, who were looking to develop relationships with Myimbarr’s students and staff and extend their knowledge and understanding of indigenous culture.

“When were planning the program, we were assured that children would not get on a bus after long day at school to travel for long periods of time just to do more school related work,” Professor Chandler said.

“Fortunately, the ‘experts’ were wrong and we now have a vibrant and rich learning community. In fact, we are currently looking for more buses”

In 2009 the numbers of school students wishing to attend the homework centre sharply increased, so the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME) became involved.

AIME is a not-for-profit national mentoring program, now in its second year at UOW, that pairs young Aboriginal people with indigenous and non-indigenous mentors from university.

This increased ratio of tutors to students due to AIME participation has meant that tutors are able to cater to the homework and general educational needs of all the students attending the centre.

AIME volunteer, Sonia Ackovich is studying Primary Teaching and says volunteering at the centre complements her degree. “I’m interested in helping kids learn, and its really great helping kids like Kieran!” Sonia said.

Cringila Public School student Kieran Worthington said he likes his weekly visit to the Homework Centre to get help with his school work. “If I get stuck I can call someone over and they help me,” he said.

Lily Jade Frencham is studying a double degree in Law and Journalism and says volunteering will help her future career.

“I want to get into development and human aide so anything regarding community is helpful,” she said. “And it’s rewarding in itself too - you get to really make a difference and working with the kids is awesome,” she said.

Lori McCluskey, an international student on exchange from Canada, sees volunteering with AIME as a unique opportunity to learn about another culture.

“This is a really good experience and it proves that university isn’t the only place that you can learn,” she said.

Last reviewed: 2 November, 2009