The Moorditj Mob is the name of a group of Indigenous students who attend Wesley College as boarders and day boys. The Indigenous programme at Wesley College was founded in 2006 with seven students. In 2007, we now have 13 Indigenous students.
Wesley College offers several Indigenous bursaries each year and also accepts fee paying Indigenous students into the programme.
The Moorditj Mob programme offers the following:• An onsite Indigenous Student Support Teacher• Academic tutoring in literacy and numeracy if needed • An Indigenous cultural programme offered each term, including a 5-week didgeridoo playing course, a 5-week Nyoongar/Yamatji dance course, local Indigenous guest speakers, painting and cultural excursions • Weekly lunchtime meetings for the Indigenous students get together and catch up• Attendance at Sorry Day and NAIDOC Week community events• Voluntary participation in teaching Indigenous cultural studies to younger students at Wesley College• Social activities each term with all the Indigenous boarders and day students from the other 16 AISWA schools.
Thanks to each member of the Moorditj Mob for helping to create the first ever Wesley Indigenous group that stands strong and proud together - proud to be studying at Wesley College and proud to be Indigenous - ‘young, black, deadly, strong and smart’ .
Testimonials from some of our Indigenous students -
Here at Wesley we are given opportunities that other schools cannot provide. The boys are friendly, the teachers are nice, and it really is a great experience coming here.
Ian Garlett , Nyoongar student from Busselton.
I am a Year 8 Indigenous student at Wesley College and I enjoy attending Wesley because it is a great school to attend if you want a better future,better education and a successful career. Being Indigenous I feel supported and enjoy the opportunity to be in the Moorditj Mob, learning the didgeridoo and traditional dance with other Indigenous boys that attend Wesley. I believe Wesley acknowledges my Indigenous heritage and enhances it.
Luke Yates.
When I first came to Wesley, I felt scared because it was a much bigger school than where I had been before. Being able to slot into the group of Indigenous students (the Moorditj Mob) at Wesley and being able to get involved straight away, was like a ‘second family’ for me, making the transition easier and more supportive for me.I am really glad I made the choice to go to Wesley and it has opened up lots of doors for my future - by me enrolling at Wesley I am able to complete my AFL trainee ship which is based at Nyoongar Sports Association. Working at NSA has been great and a great step in my life.
Gavin Mallard, Year 12 Yamatji/Nhanda student from Geraldton.
It is good to be an Aboriginal student at Wesley College because you get more opportunities in life and education and you get well supported.
Charles Mallard, Yamatji/Nhanda student from Northhampton.