On Thursday 7 August, thirteen students from Years 10, 11 and 12 attended the inaugural Deadly Skills Program hosted by the Newcastle Knights and the Aboriginal Learning Circle at Tighes Hill Tafe, Newcastle Campus.

The day began with an Acknowledgement of Country and welcoming the students, as well as Knights’ CEO Matt Gidley who launched the Indigenous NRL Round. Students were then split into groups where they were involved in a Q and A session about the importance of education, with both current and former Indigenous Knights players, Lillian Gordon from the Aboriginal Learning Circle and Darren Dunn, 2015 NAIDOC artist of the year.

Students were also involved in a Find My Future activity which provided a computer-based career recommendation based upon several questions provided to each student.

Throughout the day, students were able to mingle and join in various cultural activities, such as Aboriginal art workshops, traditional dance workshops and traditional story telling with Newcastle Knights players, such as Dane Gagai, Tyrone Roberts, Jaelen Feeney, Jacob Gagai, Robbie Rochow and Jack Stockwell.

Published in 2016. Story Contributed by Sonia Sharpe from Korreil Wonnai AECG and Kurri Kurri High School.