The Northam Clontarf Foundation’s Awards Ceremony was held at Northam Senior High School on Friday night.
The education program started in Northam in 2011 and since then has made great leaps in the community by helping young Aboriginal men gain employment and succeed in schooling.
Traditional Aboriginal dancing was a highlight of the awards evening, which celebrated five boys graduating from year 12 and various other students for their attendance, sport and academic endeavours.
Northam Clontarf Academy director Mathew Stokes said the awards night highlighted the achievements of local boys.
“Last year we had six boys finish. To have another five finish this year is a really exciting prospect for our younger students in aspiring to finish high school,” he said.
What’s really pleasing is the mateship and support they give each other in all facets of life.
- Northam Clontarf Academy director Mathew Stokes
“For me, this group have been at the school since I first arrived so we been on this journey together.
“What’s really pleasing is the mateship and support they give each other in all facets of life.”
Two year 12 graduates, Jared Wynne and David Slater, have already gained full-time employment at the Northam Shire.
Mr Stokes said the program focuses on engaging the students in education, then building their employment skills through training and the teaching of life skills, and it was “fantastic” for two local boys to have full-time employment so quickly after finishing school.
“Both boys have shown real commitment, having to start work as early as 6am, and I couldn’t be more proud of them,” he said.
- Football trophies: Jordon Kickett, Desmond Narrier, Sydney Stack, Ash Colbung and Harley Corbett.
- Attendance medals: Jordee Abdullah, Desmond Narrier, Jayden Narrier, Joey Bradley and Isaiah Kickett.
- Academic Awards: Zane Slater, Lachlan Kickett, Kyle Thompson, Jordee Abdullah, Scott Slater, Tyler Anderson, Brodie Starcevich and Diego Yarran-Fernandez.
- Other medals: Jared Wynne, Garry Murphy, Kyle Thompson, Isaiah Kickett, David Slater and Jermaine Davis.
