Home → Casuarina Academy → News
Words: Nathan Perrin
Photos: Team Effort
January 10th, 2012
A HISTORICAL JOURNEY
The pinnacle of the Casuarina program over the past three years has been the completion of this year’s Year 12 cohort. This group comprises members of Darwin’s first Clontarf group who were Year 9 members of the Sanderson Academy when it began in 2008.
In 2011 these young men have become the largest group of Year 12 Indigenous males to graduate from a single school in the Northern Territory’s history.
The Class of 2011
The final dinner before exams
On the night we ran a Year 12 quiz to highlight the need for balance and well-being to get over the final hurdle. A highlight of the night was the awarding of prizes such as fish oil tablets to enhance memory ahead of the academic crunch time!
Apart from their place in history as the Northern Territory’s biggest group of Indigenous students to complete Year 12, this group is also Clontarf’s largest crop of graduates.
Ramon ‘Nugget’ Munnich at the NT Clontarf Yr12 Dinner
Benjamin Rioli putting the final touches on his Clontarf Integrated Learning
Christopher Smith managed his time well throughout the year to not only complete his NTCET, but also make the Australian U18 Rugby League team who toured France and England in November/December.
Ryan ‘The Pres’ Presley in full flight for the Colts during the year
Jayde Forscutt was awarded runner up Northern Territory School Based Trainee of the Year and his pictured here with NT Chief Minister and Clontarf supporter Paul Henderson
Throughout their time in the Clontarf program this group have grown accustom to rubbing shoulders with the homeless and Prime Ministers alike. The majority of the group has become the first person in their family to graduate from Year 12 and this has been no easy task.
Graduate Billy Fletcher teaming up with Kevin Rudd for a hit of table tennis on Rudd’s Term 4 visit to the Academy
(L-R) Nathan Perrin, Benjamin Rioli, Stephen Hofmann, Jeremy Bush, Jack Long and Jackson Clark at the RAAF base in Darwin where they were invited with 300 Darwin civilians to here PM Julia Gillard and US President Barack Obama speak on Obama’s 2.5 hour visit to Darwin in November.
Members of the Clontarf Stage 2 Integrated Learning class with NAAJA lawyer and all round good guy Will Crawford
The NAAJA work experience has inspired Fabian Lockyer (left) to apply to study law. Here he is pictured with good mate The Pres.
At one of the many Career’s Expos attended by the group this year
Jed Anderson and Jack Long cooking up for Integrated Learning.
All of the Class of 2011 have benefitted from their participation in Clontarf Classes and the tireless work of Academy and CSC staff.
In particular special mention should go to Damien Zammit and Alastair Scott who have worked tirelessly to ensure that these young men have been provided and advocated for throughout their time at CSC.
English teacher Marion Cowie being proudly flanked by members of her Year 12 class. Marion was one of many on hand to celebrate at the Casuarina Academy Awards Night in November
Damien Zammit and Alastair Scott plotting the Class of 2011’s world domination!
(L-R) Jed Anderson Benjamin Rioli and Nugget modeling the pink representative shirts worn at the Territory Cup this year. The colour was chosen to highlight the plight of breast cancer sufferers.
Ben on the charge for the Colts
Jed Anderson represented the Foundation in fine fashion this year as captain of the NT U18 team and subsequently earning national acclaim by being selected in the All Australian U18 team. Jed then went on to play in the NT Thunder football team, which won the NEAFL premiership this year.
Jayde Forscutt looking very YMCMB at the CSC formal
Close cousins Ben and Jack turned heads at the traditional CSC Dress Up Day. The day is an opportunity for staff and students alike to celebrate Year 12 completion
(L-R) The Clontarf Smurfs also came along for the Dress Up Day
Henson Bara and Tom Conroy hit the red carpet at the CSC Formal
It’s Christmas time and time to party for the Class of 2011
Damien Fuller with mentor Damien Zammit at the CSC Graduation Night
I was very proud to stand with Andrea Goddard at our Awards Night and congratulate the Class of 2011, well done guys (L-R Back Row: Andrea Goddard, Billy Fletcher, Philip Voulanas, David Hoffmann, Charles Cunningham, Ryan Presley, Honourable Chris Burns, Fabian Lockyer, Jeremy Bush, Tom Conroy, Stephen Hoffmann, Nathan Perrin Front Row: Ashlee Martin, Henson Bara, Damien Fuller, Joshua O’Neill, Jayde Forscutt, Benjamin Rioli, Jack Long, Joseph Collinson, Jackson Clark and Kurt Cauchi. Absent: Jed Anderson, Sean Waters, Wayde Hunter, Ramon Munnich, Chris Smith, Tarrion Sutcliffe, Jake Fenner, Micky LewFatt)
It is hoped that the record of 27 only stands for a short time in both Northern Territory and Clontarf history books as we continue to strive for bigger and bigger groups of young Indigenous men completing Year 12 all over Australia!
This article has been read: 3166 times.
Back to News Articles
