Murray Bridge High School - Power Players drop in on Murray Bridge
The Port Adelaide Football Club made the trip up the South Eastern freeway to Murray Bridge to visit the Aboriginal Power Cup (APC) students from Murray Bridge High School on Thursday 12thMay 2011.
We would firstly like to apologise to the APC students and staff for arriving late to the program, however, one of the PAFC staff gave us some directions on getting through the Adelaide Hills to Murray Bridge. This turned out to be misinformation and I hate to admit, but we were lost. (haha)
The Murray Bridge visit was the 1stopportunity this year for Gun Power player Danyle Pearce to attend, who was very excited about going hometo be apart of the APC program. The students also welcomed former Power player Wade Thompson, PAFC staff member Amy Rogerson, SAASTA Manager Lindsay Bassani and SAASTA staff member and North Adelaide Football Club footballer Kriston Thompson.
We started the day with an Ice Breaker game, that involves each student receiving a playing card and we time how fast they can get into number order. Ace through to King. Port Pirie set a quick time of 10.30 seconds, which WAS the fastest time, but now we have a new time of 8.60 seconds set by the students of Murray Bridge. A very impressive time there my little brothers and sisters.
Introductions from staff and students were next and the students providing us with an understanding of where they come from and where they have a connection to land. Majority of the Murray Bridge students had a connection with the Ngarrindjeri people, who come from that area, including Point Mcleay (Raukkon) and surrounds.
The Goal Setting activity was the next item and we asked the students to come up with their team and individual goals for the APC program. SAASTA Manager Lindsay started this session with Wadeo and Kriston, with Pearcey, Amy and Pauly interacting with the students and discussing their goals. Pearcey spoke about his goals on and off the field, and how one of his goals now is to finish his teaching degree off and become a teacher.
The students then came up with their own team and individual goals for APC program, and it was great that all the students were involved, with one student nominating to write on the smart board all their goals so they can stick them up in the room, for them to see every time they’re in the room.
We had great discussion on career aspirations and we involved all the teachers to tell the students what their first job was. We wanted to show the students that we all had to start some where and slowly work our way up to get to where we want to be.
The students then filled in the career aspirations forms and we encouraged them to tell us some of their interests. There were some great responses from the students some of which included;
- Beauty Therapist
- Dance Teacher
- Mechanic
- Landscaper
- Journalist
Pauly discussed the P-Plate program and the life/work skills activities in the APC booklet, and explained the importance of getting a job / career when their schooling finishes begin thinking about creating their own independence.
We finished in the class and headed to the school gym for the final session of the visit and some indoor football drills and skills. Pearcey and Wadeo had the students undertaking some drills that the Power currently use, which the students did very well in executing.
“It was great getting back to Murray Bridge and seeing all the students and spending time with them. I am very proud of this program and believe this program does make a difference to Indigenous Youth in SA. I am also very happy that I am the face of the program for 2011, because I believe in what we are doing for Indigenous youth in the Aboriginal Power Cup program”. Danyle Pearce
We would like to thank the students and teachers from Murray Bridge High School for their hospitality and we look forward to seeing you in June at the APC Carnival.
Good luck for the rest of the year!
