The document discusses the Ratep program, which aims to increase the number of Indigenous teachers in Queensland through teacher education partnerships. It outlines the success of the off-site model, funded by MATSITI, which expanded access to students living outside of community sites. Analysis found high retention rates and completion on time for off-site students in 2014-2015. The funding enabled outreach through enhanced online learning and teacher support, nearly doubling applicant numbers and allowing greater geographic reach across Queensland.

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Continuing the journey for education workforce diversity
Intercontinental Hotel, Adelaide | 30 September – 1 October 2015

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TAFE Ratep Cairns is located on country associated with
the Gimuy Wala-Bara clan of the Yidinji people. We
recognise and pay respects to the elders past and present.
Acknowledgment of Country

4. Presenters
 Lynley HALLIDAY, Coordinator, Certificate III in Education
(ATSI), Ratep, TAFE QLD North, Cairns campus
 Leigh PAYNE, Teacher Coordinator, Ratep Off-site model, Dept.
of Education and Training – State Schools (DET-SS), based in
Maryborough SHS
 Mark LINKSON, Coordinator, Diploma of Education (ATSI),
Ratep, TAFE QLD North, Cairns campus

5. The off-site model
Ratep – Queensland Indigenous community based teacher education
Workshop themes
What works, so what, what’s next?
Promoting teaching & leadership for our mob
Attracting teachers

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7. What is Ratep?
 Aims to increase the number of
Indigenous teachers working in Qld
schools
 Is a partnership between TAFE QLD North, Cairns;
James Cook University, Townsville; Qld Government
State Schools and Indigenous communities
 Has run since 1990, in its 26th year of operation

8. Success
 TAFE graduate destinations include employment in
ancillary education positions (library, liaison, Teacher
Aide), other welfare and service areas and building
community capacity in general
 Has awarded over 1000 VET level
qualifications (Cert III, IV and Dip)
through TAFE
 Has resulted in over 160 fully trained
classroom teachers graduating JCU with
B.Ed.

10. Structure
Certificate III in Education (ATSI)
TAFE – Years 11 & 12 (2 yrs)
Certificate IV in Education (ATSI)
TAFE - 9 months
Diploma of Education (ATSI)
TAFE - 1 year FT or 2 years PT
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
JCU – 3.5 years full time
Students can enter and exit at any
level depending on need and ability.

11. Cert III students on
Thursday Island

12. Virtual classrooms with
TAFE & JCU lecturers via
online learning platforms
Residentials in Cairns
Printed learning guides
Online activities and forums
On-site Teacher
Coordinator (DET-SS)
Practicums
Field trip
Most Ratep sites are in primary schools,
some in high schools. This was the site at
Badu Is. campus of Tagai College, 2006
How does Ratep work?

13. Diploma students
on field trip to Palm
Island 2014
Map of Ratep sites and
off site locations 2014-15

14. Culturally relevant delivery
• Indigenous staff as teachers / support officers
provide role models and mentors for students
• Indigenous specific units of competency
• All the latest communication technology: SMS, online
task submission and learning platforms
• Learning Guides written by experienced, culturally-aware teachers that
include references to diverse Indigenous lives and contexts. Regularly
reviewed by a CAB (Indigenous community advisory board).
• All students have at least 2 teachers allocated to their studies, their DET -
SS TC and the TAFE Coordinator of their course + subject teachers.

15. Ratep THEN and NOW
 Originally catered to the needs of remote Indigenous
communities for teacher education on country (predominantly
in Torres Strait & Cape York)
 Has organically morphed towards catering to students living in
rural, regional and urban communities due to higher entry
standards and renewed emphasis on quality outcomes
(although still some remote sites)
 MATSITI help with off-site model allowed expanded delivery to
students living in previously unserviceable locations

16. Ratep Off-site model
 MATSITI funding was provided to TAFE to support the
continuation and expansion of RATEP’s OFF- SITE DELIVERY
MODEL in 2014 within the Certificate IV in Education and
Diploma of Education courses.
 Previous to introduction of an off-site model, Indigenous
people NOT living in or near a community with an official
Ratep site would be ineligible to study with us. At any one time
there are approx. 15 sites around Queensland. So this excludes
many potential applicants.

17. Ratep Off-site model
 The model incorporates interactive virtual classroom e-
sessions, online assessment/course content and developing
mobile technologies.
 Teacher-learner relationships enhanced by off-site students
having regular access to a full time, Department of Education
and Training (DET) ‘Off-Site Teacher Coordinator’ Leigh Payne
who provides additional tutorial, pastoral and administrative
support to off-site students.

18. Ratep Off-site model 2014
 Cert IV: 14 applicants, 9 offers: 5 graduated, 4 completing in 2015
 Diploma: 16 applicants, 9 offers: 3 graduated, 4 completing in 2015,
2 withdrew EXCELLENT RETENTION RATES!!
 CIV applicant locations: Atherton, Babinda, Innisfail, Mt Morgan,
Murgon, Poruma Island, Springfield Lakes (Brisbane), Yarraman
 DIP applicant locations: Acacia Ridge (Brisbane), Atherton,
Caboolture, Cairns, Chinchilla, Elanora, Gordonvale, Hervey Bay,
Inala (Brisbane), Innisfail, Irvinebank, Laura, Moa Island, Murgan,
Serina, Strathpine (Brisbane), Winton

19. Ratep Off-site model 2015
 Applicant locations:
Bowen, Laura, Atherton,
Brisbane, Cairns,
Doomadgee, Hervey Bay,
Innisfail, Maryborough,
Merryburn, Mt Morgan,
Caboolture, Melbourne
0
5
10
15
20
25
Cert IV Diploma
RATEP off-site applications
2014 2015

20. Diploma students
at Mareeba SS 2015, (10
from offsite locations out
of 24 attending)

21. Ratep Off-site model ANALYSIS
 The offsite model funded partly by MATSITI in 2014 has been
highly successful and its continued availability in 2015 looks
again to be very successful
 Knowledge of this delivery option for Ratep has spread
throughout the state in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities whereby enquiries for 2015 almost doubled
those of 2014.

22. Ratep Off-site model ANALYSIS
 MATSITI’s support for the offsite model has enabled it to be
successfully promoted, implemented and expanded in a wide
variety of locations.
 This has allowed it to gain traction and sustainability as a
viable model of teacher education for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people unable to attend a study site near their
place of residence.

23. Ratep Off-site model RESULTS
 In view of the low attrition numbers, ‘completion on time’
rate, and growth and sustainability of the offsite model,
MATSITI’s financial support to the model in 2014 provided
excellent value for money in helping address the goal of more
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teachers in Australia.

24. Ratep Off-site model DISCUSSION
Workshop themes
What works, so what, what’s next?
Promoting teaching & leadership for our mob
Attracting teachers

25. Location specific
enrolment posters –
Off-site model, 2014

26. Location specific
enrolment posters –
Mackay, 2014

27. Location specific
flyers –
Yarrabah, 2014

28. Location specific
enrolment posters –
Bamaga, 2016

29. Location specific
enrolment posters –
Ravenshoe, 2016

30. Media articles –
Cairns, 2011

31. Media articles –
Torres News, 2012

32. Media articles –
Cairns, 2012

33. Media articles –
Koorie Mail, 2014

34. Media articles –
advert in newspaper,
Toowoomba, 2014

35. Banners for
workshops and
information days