Inclusion, Engagement, Attainment: The Bultawilta Scholarship Program
With a focus on removing the barriers to retention for Indigenous High School Students, Wyatt currently partners with 12 secondary schools to deliver the Bultawilta Scholarship Program.
Wyatt understands that without inclusion in the school environment, and without positive experiences with the learning process, young people are at risk of disengaging.
Since 2007, this program has provided over 300 young Indigenous South Australians with funding for a diverse range of expenses which support the recipient and their household; school uniforms, additional tutoring, school camps and excursions, formal tickets and suit hire, and transport expenses to name but a few.
Providing funding to the school that is allocated to particular students, for a diverse range of expenses, is considered a great support to those who are working with students, as individuals, with diverse range of needs. It allows Wyatt funds to be used to consolidate the good work being done by Schools through the provision of additional resources.
We did see a change in her confidence level after she received a new uniform. Following this we were able to link [the student] with some literacy tutoring. Over time we saw some interesting improvements in her literacy levels. In addition to this [the student] began to open up a little more and we got to know her better. She felt more comfortable at school, began to make new friends, and her attendance along with her commitment to school improved (Aboriginal Education Coordinator, Category 2 Disadvantaged School).
Removing pressure from the household to fund extra curricular, or additional education expenses promotes a more positive familial engagement with the school, which in turn, enhances the educational experience of the student.
Unexpected and additional benefits have been demonstrated through schools developing new ways of administering the funds. One such example can be seen in the student self-management strategy whereby students are responsible for their own budget and are required to manage their allocation across the year, thus offering the opportunity to develop financial management skills in a ‘real world’ environment.
Having seen the outcomes demonstrated in the first 5 years of this program, Wyatt looks forward to its ongoing expansion in coming years.
