The program delivers free literacy and numeracy workshops to Indigenous parents and carers in a traditional “yarning” style, providing participants with the skills to positively influence their children’s home learning.
Participants can also take the next step and become accredited as trainers, going on to deliver the workshops to their own communities.
Manager Corporate Affairs Melanie Henley said Brookfield Rail was proud to partner with such a program, aimed at improving children’s chances of a successful start to the early years of schooling.
“The IPF Program gives parents a common language with schools, allowing them to feel more comfortable in discussions with school staff about their child’s progress,” Ms Henley said.
“The program complements Brookfield Rail’s commitment to collaborating with community organisations to provide meaningful, positive and practical programs to regional Western Australia.”
Six participants from Geraldton, Mt Magnet and Yalgoo attended the recent Midwest workshop, which covered the skills and knowledge required for them to deliver the training in their own communities.
Workshop participant Lizzie Little said the workshops were a great way to reach out to young mums in the community who lacked the confidence to help their children with maths.
“I want to encourage our parents and grandparents to spend time with their kids and give them encouragement to learn. If they realise you don't have to be good at something like maths and can still help they will be more confident, and that would be deadly,” Ms Little said.
Participant Tamihana Cummings said “when I was bringing up my kids I thought my job was to make sure they went to school to learn, but learning at home, this is really important.”
Further workshops will be rolled out in Kalgoorlie, Albany and Bunbury later this year.
Contact
Hannah Jenkins
Corporate Affairs Advisor
Phone: 0447 881 852
Email: hannah.jenkins@arcinfra.com
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