Nine students from the Wellington High School who participate in the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) program went on a six day leadership and careers camp to the newly built National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) in Redfern.

According to the students, the camp “opened up their eyes” about the world around them.

“It gave us an opportunity to see what’s out there,” student Tayler Stanley said.

“We met Kevin Rudd and did heaps of other stuff while we were up there.

“The whole trip even inspired one of my friends, who said she was going to drop out of school after Year 10, to stay and do Year 11 and 12.”

The children joined other students from Narromine High School, Dubbo College Delroy and South Campus and Dubbo Senior College. The camp was a reward for students who have shown improved or consistent good behaviour in class, good attendance and great participation in NASCA sessions.

“It was a life changing experience,” the students said.

“We encourage others to behave well and to stay at school.

“There are a lot of options out there, but some just don’t know it.”

While staying at the NCIE, students were kept busy with various sporting, careers and leadership activities. Some things the children never thought they would do included surfing lessons at Maroubra beach, a sports gala day with the South Sydney NASCA students, where they had a coaching skills session with the Australian under 21s Basketball head coach. They also got to watch the South Sydney Rabbitohs train and met them afterwards.

“I learned that whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve,” fellow student Shalyssa Stanley said.

“The teachers at school have been a great help.

“We also got so much inspiration from the people who gave us talks.”

The students were commended for their fantastic efforts and respectful behaviour while away, and aboriginal education officer Adam Ryan was thanked for his hard work over the week.