Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) in the Torres Strait has partnered with two Queensland metropolitan schools as part of the City-Country Partnerships Program facilitated by the Yadha Muru Foundation. OLSH has almost 150 students across two campuses on Waiben (Thursday Island) and Kirriri (Hammond Island). St Finbarr’s Catholic Primary School in Ashgrove and St Thomas More College in Sunnybank have come together to partner with this remote Torres Strait Islander School community offering a unique focus on STEM learning activities and providing opportunities for reciprocal cultural exchange.
The partnership will have an educational focus on STEM. This will provide Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) students the opportunity to investigate, test and trial real life solutions to current local challenges, including the study of climate change and the impacts of rising sea levels. All partner schools will work with the Kaurageg Land and Sea Rangers to study marine habitat and biodiversity. OLSH students will engage and learn through innovative science and technology programs in a wide variety of scientific disciplines. Virtual technologies being used successfully at the Brisbane schools will be utilised to connect OLSH students to educational experiences at both city schools. Programs will include STEM Boot Camps, hands-on activities and virtual ‘Explore Your Career’ presentations. These initiatives aim to inspire OLSH students to pursue STEM careers and consider how they can make a difference in their communities.
St Finbarr’s will contribute their extensive experience in primary-level STEM programs, particularly in engaging students in national STEM competitions such as the STEM MAD (Making a Difference) events. Additionally, primary students will gain insights into the transition to secondary school, focusing on foundational STEM knowledge, including a Robotics Olympics module. St Thomas More College also has a strong STEM base including programs focusing on advanced Lego, virtual and augmented reality learning, robotics, aviation training and electron microscope activities.
At the same time, St Finbarr’s and St Thomas More students will engage in transformative cultural learning, deepening their understanding of Torres Strait Islander histories, languages and cultures. Zenadth Kes knowledge will be central to this partnership, ensuring that Kaurareg peoples and Zenadth Kes representatives are part of the decision-making processes. OLSH will provide authentic Zenadth Kes experiences, sharing perspectives, languages and culture. This partnership will broaden the horizons of both primary and secondary students, emphasising the practical applications of science and technology in remote Australia.
