Media releases
Year 12 ATSI Graduation
MEDIA ADVISORY
Attention: News Editors
What: Media and photo opportunity
Where: St Patrick’s Cathedral, James St, Toowoomba
When: Thursday, 20 October 2016
Time: 10.30am-12.00pm
Ambitions to be Prime Minister as young Indigenous school leader gets an early offer to study Law and Arts
Mia Wright has big plans, as she completes Year 12 in 2016, and has an early offer to study for a Law and Arts degree at USQ, she is aiming to become Prime Minister of Australia.
Female and Indigenous, Mia knows that she has a lot of work ahead of her, and her accomplishments so far prove that she may just be up to the task. Mia’s political ambitions have already been recognised, when in Year 10, she entered the ‘My First Speech’ competition organised by the Australian Government. Mia had to write and present a speech as an elected member of the House of Representatives.
Living in Maranoa she spoke about issues for her home area as well as her pride in being the first female Aboriginal member. Locally, Mia is the school captain at St Saviour’s College and has represented the school at many events and spoken as the representative of the Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools before audiences of dignitaries and local community.
On Thursday, 20 October, Mia will join twenty-eight other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from seven Catholic Colleges across the Diocese to celebrate the completion of Year 12 and to share with each other the next steps of their life journey.
“The completion of Year 12 is a milestone to celebrate in all young people’s lives. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, it is especially important,” said Jenny Wills, Education Officer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.
“Recent data shows the retention rate of full-time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Years 7 to Year 12 is 55% compared with 83% for other students. As we know, higher levels of education are associated with improved health outcomes, economic status and quality of life.”
“We are very proud of the students from our schools and what they, their schools and their families have achieved. This Mass is one celebration of their success.”
Local MPs Pat Weir, David Janetzki and Trevor Watts will also be in attendance.
Interview and photo opportunity prior to the Graduation Mass
To arrange an interview with Mia Wright and Jenny Wills, Education Officer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education, prior to the Graduation Mass please contact Tracey Flint on 4637 1420 or email tracey.flint@twb.catholic.edu.au
To attend the Graduation Mass and arrange interviews and photo opportunities Please contact Tracey Flint on 4637 1420 or email tracey.flint@twb.catholic.edu.au
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