WITH sports participating at its core, the Academy of Sports, Health and Education, better known as ASHE, is working to improve Aboriginal equality and overall life outcomes, providing accessible, culturally-relevant education, training, health and employment opportunities and outcomes primarily – but not exclusively – to First Nations people.
ASHE students relocated from their Nixon Street campus to the new Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence (MCRE) in Term 3 this year. Heidi Knowles, who is manager of operations and student success at ASHE, as well as a past student and current acting director, said first reactions to the brand-new campus were very positive.
“It’s such an amazing, magnificent building. For them, you know, we really don’t have anything so amazing and to be a part of history and to have a magnificent building like this, it’s starting to give them a sense of belonging,” she said.
“Culture plays a big part in education, and especially in an Indigenous person’s life. You need culture, and you need your connection to culture to have a sense of who you are to fulfil your educational journey.”
The transition has fostered a sense of belonging and provided students and staff with improved facilities, including culturally significant designs and a child-friendly room for students with children. These state-of-the-art learning facilities cater to both high school and mature aged students, breaking barriers that limit participation in education.
The holistic approach of ASHE addresses various aspects of students’ lives, enhancing their engagement and success. The new campus offers significantly better amenities compared to the old Nixon Street Campus, including more classrooms and upgraded communal spaces. Knowles hopes the new centre will attract more students, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and contribute to their educational and employment journey.
Further, technology is embedded in all classrooms, giving students access to courses from around the country and the world, allowing them to participate in learning opportunities and connect with a global learning community.
Ms Knowles is a testament to the power of what opportunity, and particularly ASHE’s unique model, can achieve.
A recovered ice user, she has been clean for nine years and approached ASHE in 2018 hoping to give back and to the community and enhance her opportunities.
After starting a course in community services, Ms Knowles was awarded Student of the Year and was offered casual employment with the Year 11 and 12 students and Cert IV Community Service students.
“They were that impressed with me they asked if I was interested in doing my training and assessment.” Ms Knowles went on to teach Community Services students for two years in addition to working as a coordinator at ASHE part time before being offered the ASHE manager role.
“Places like this, we need them for our community,” said Ms Knowles. “Because it gives the community a second chance if they need it, and I’m a product of that.”
“Hopefully, we’ll have even more Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come here and be a part of the Munarra Centre and study. That way, we can get more of our community out into employment and on their educational journey.”
