08 February 2011
Peter Garrett AM
Federal Member for Kingsford Smith
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth
Senator Mark Arbib
Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development
Minister for Sport
Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness
Joel Fitzgibbon
Federal Member for Hunter
Minister for School Education Peter Garrett and Minister for Indigenous Employment and Economic Development and Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today welcomed the 100% Knights project to help Indigenous students in the progression from school to post-school life.
The 100% Knights program will use the experience of Newcastle Knights players and staff to assist up to 100 Year 10-12 Indigenous students with mentoring and work experience placements.
Mr Garrett said the Gillard Labor Government was providing $575,000 over two years through the Parental and Community Engagement (PaCE) program to form a strong partnership with the Newcastle Knights to provide more options to Indigenous students.
“Indigenous students will gain unique learning opportunities including industry based mentoring, field trips and work experience in their chosen career through the 100% Knights program,” Mr Garrett said.
“Through the Government’s PaCE program, we are helping parents and caregivers of Indigenous kids engage with their children’s education and this program will allow Indigenous youth to explore further education, training and employment options, launching them towards long term employment.”
Senator Arbib said the program had been inspired by the Learn. Earn. Legend! message at the NRL All Stars game in 2010.
“The Learn. Earn. Legend! program provides kids with mentoring and inspiration to become leaders in their community,” Senator Arbib said.
“I congratulate the Knights and their players on embracing their role in society as sources of inspiration.
“We know the best thing all kids can do is get a good education. We know the more education they have, whether that is school, TAFE, an apprenticeship or tertiary studies, the more likely they are to get a good job.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said that program was fantastic news for Indigenous young people in the Hunter Valley region.
“The Newcastle Knights players are role models for so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“The 100 participants are very lucky to be able to partake in this wonderful opportunity.”
Mr Fitzgibbon said 100% Knights would not have been possible without additional support of Coal & Allied and the Newcastle Knights.