Parents and Learning

Introduction

The governing body for PaL is the Napranum PaL Group (NPG); a not for profit entity established in 2004. It consists of a board of eleven members; five parents of children who have been participants in the PaL program, three indigenous community and three non-Indigenous members who were co-developers and champions of the program.

PaL Program Patron

Dr. Chris Sarra

As Executive Director of the Stronger Smarter Institute with an extensive career in education behind him, Chris Sarra is a leader of Indigenous education in Australia. His passion for the pursuit of more positive and productive educational outcomes for Indigenous children comes from his own first hand experiences as an Indigenous child, student, parent, teacher, principal and leader.

Lurline Callope

Lurline has dedicated most of her working life to the benefit of young children and families on Cape York.  As a community teacher at Napranum Preschool for 20 years, Lurline was one of the main initiators and protagonists of the PaL concept.  Lurline is a respected elder who continues to advocate for early childhood and families in her role as a Director.

Corine Matasia

Corine was the first PaL Coordinator of the Napranum trial program.  She is a strong campaigner for Indigenous Education and a better future for Indigenous children. As a Director, Corine speaks on behalf of PaL at state and national education forums and encourages parents and communities to stand up strong for their children.

Relena Ara

Relena is the Coordinator for PaL Programs in Napranum, Weipa and Cape York Peninsula. Relena provides remote and on site support to PaL people and programs in Lockhart River and the Northern Peninsula Area. In Napranum she works collaboratively with the staff at the Early Childhood Centre (a C & K Kindergarten) delivering ReadnPlay and PaL BookStart Level 1 and 2 to all enrolled families. Relenaǯs family ties are to the Kaurareg people of the Western Torres Strait, but she has lived all her life in Napranum. She has very strong connections in the community and continues to conduct home visits to support parents and help them help their kids in early learning.

Paul Wand (AM)

Paul works as a ‘change agent’ for the benefit of Aboriginal communities. He was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 for his service to Indigenous communities for the development of cross cultural relationships between the mining and resources sector and traditional landowners.  Paul encouraged Rio Tinto to support early childhood, families and children by supporting the development of PaL in the very beginning.  He continues to champion the PaL program and the benefits it brings to communities across Australia.

Christine Hanrahan

Chris has been involved in early childhood education in Indigenous communities for over 30 years in a teaching, mentoring and community development capacity.  She is passionate about building relationships, about making a difference for Indigenous families and children and about keeping things real and practical. Her history with PaL began as Napranum Preschool Director and foundation developer of the program.

Roshni Senapati

Roshni is the foundation developer of the PaL Program and has extensive expertise and experience in early childhood, special needs and Indigenous education as well as being multi-lingual. She believes strongly that it is essential to put children’s environments at the centre of their education and to view parents as partners, collaborators and advocates for their children. Her passion and commitment to the PaL program and PaL communities is unwavering.

Michelle Perry

Michelle has been involved in a broad range of early childhood and family support initiatives across the Hunter Valley and is passionate about making a difference for Indigenous families and children.   She brings her experience as a past Director of Awabakal Child Care Centre, PaL Coordinator and key support person to Newcastle and Muswellbrook as well as great energy and enthusiasm to the group.

Patricia Schuh

Patricia’s involvement in early childhood began in Napranum in 1997 as a coordinator of the local playgroup program. Patricia has continued to be involved in early childhood since that beginning, has completed her Bachelor of Education (early childhood), and is currently the Director of the Napranum Early Childhood Centre. She is also the mother of four children, a strong advocate for the inclusion of cultural competence in early childhood settings and is passionate about improving early years outcomes for Indigenous children.

Zui Gara

Zui’s involvement with the Napranum PaL Group began as a parent who was participating in the PaL BookStart program with her son. She found this to be a very rewarding program both for herself and her child. Having experienced education in four different settings (Napranum, Weipa, Cairns, Gordonvale), Zui feels very strongly about good beginnings and about appropriate education. She is currently studying for her Certificate III in ATSI Primary Health Care as well as supporting the delivery of the Napranum PaL Program.

Flora Pitt

Flora’s first association with PaL was through her attendance at Mum’s and Bub’s sessions being held by PaL staff in Napranum. Along with other young mothers Flora enjoyed learning more about ‘how children learn’ and it was a natural progression for Flora to undertake training to become a PaL tutor in 2013. Flora continued to extend on her experience in the early childhood field undertaking a traineeship in Children’s Services with Cape Kids child care centre in Weipa where she was awarded Trainee of the Year in both 2014 and 2015. As a board member, Flora brings with her, youth, experience as a young mother in Napranum and formal experience in early childhood education.

Tricia Buxton

Tricia’s involvement in Indigenous education began in the early 1990’s working in the Napranum Preschool and at the local community primary school at Jessica Point. Her relationship with the Napranum community has been ongoing, and her appointment as the Project Manager of business and curriculum development for NPG in 2009 has reinforced and strengthened those ties. Her specialised training and passion for early childhood learning has contributed to her teaching experience spanning over 30 years in diverse educational settings.