Polly Farmer Follow the Dream is a free after-school culturally responsive academic program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students that develops knowledge, confidence, and self-belief, inspiring students to achieve their school and future career aspirations. The program includes tuition, mentoring, and extracurricular opportunities and experiences for aspirant primary and secondary school students who have the desire to learn, succeed and complete school.
The Esperance Senior High School program is available to local students from year 7 to 12, year 6 students from local primary schools and through an outreach program also delivered to students at Norseman DHS, Leonora DHS and Leinster CS.
The Polly Farmer Follow the Dream supplementary program operates at ESHS on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and the sessions are held in room 7. Students are offered a free afternoon snack and engage with some social catch-up. They then work in small groups or one-on-one with a tutor or mentor and engage in a range of learning activities that are tailored to a personalized learning plan.
The program promotes Aboriginal ways and encourage family and community engagement. Carers are invited to have input into the learning program through compact signing events and award ceremonies.
Extracurricular activities including career, leadership and cultural camps are offered to students who meet attendance and academic targets. The program further embraces positive academic, social and emotional well-being and a sense of belonging. It supports students in developing skills and understandings while encouraging positive attitudes to school and learning.
Graduates of the program are invited to join the Polly Farmer Follow the Dream alumni program which offers scholarships, leadership days and career contacts.
For more information or to apply to enroll your child in the program please email program coordinator Hettie Maree at hester.maree@education.wa.edu.au
Polly Farmer Follow the Dream at Esperance Senior High School is proudly partnered with the Department of Education WA and supported by IGO Limited.
