Pacific Islander and Maori students

The program runs concurrently with the Griffith Outreach Program and is designed to meet the needs of Pāsifika youth

Queensland is home to the largest Pacific Island population in Australia, with most residing in Logan, the Gold Coast and Ipswich. As part of Griffith University's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we are proud to offer the Griffith Maori and Pāsifika LEAD Program. Standing for Legacy, Education, Achievement and Dream, the LEAD program is developed on the concept of āko, where the teacher and student share learning experiences to support students through their education journey. They do this by implementing culturally responsive initiatives that raise confidence and demystify misconceptions of higher education.

Year 9

Captivate Workshop

Offered in Term 2 and Term 3

This workshop focuses on exposing profiles of local successful Pacific professionals through engaging career games. Students get an opportunity to explore social impact issues directly relating to their culture through educational games with a focus on business, law and health studies. This workshop also covers:

an introduction to the concept of university
pathways into higher education
increasing awareness and opportunities students could pursue after school.

Year 10

Pacific LEAD Annual Immersion Day

Week 10, Term 2

This on-campus experience will focus on demystifying the tertiary environments through cultural activities including presentations by Pacific professionals, career and leadership workshops and mentor-led activities that are degree specific. Key outcomes of the on-campus experience include:

broader awareness of careers and education pathways
demystification of the misconceptions of tertiary education such as access and affordability
an immersive experience on a university campus

Pacific LEAD Action Project

Offered in Term 3

The LEAD Action Project is run in close collaboration with the Pacific Liaison Officers within our partner schools. The action project begins during the Pacific LEAD Annual Immersion Day and is then driven by the Pacific LEAD committee in each school over the course of Term 3. Students work with their school in establishing a social impact issue directly related to their school and community and work together to develop an action plan to meet the needs of the identified issue to effect change. The program aims to:

encourage students to make an impact within their school and communities
establish responsibility and leadership skills
celebrate achievements
help students to practise employability skills such as finance handling, collaboration, networking, critical thinking
introduce business modelling with social enterprises.

Year 11

Pacific LEAD Annual Leadership Camp

9 - 11 May

The 2022 LEAD Annual Leadership Camp will be held in collaboration with QUT and have a focus on building confidence, cultural pride and strength, self-empowerment and leadership. The three-day camp will allow students to understand the importance of caring for their mental health and wellbeing, having pride in their cultural background and how to share and educate the wider community. The camp gives students an opportunity to:

develop communication skills through a Toastmasters workshop
develop confidence to pursue leadership roles in Year 12 through a self-empowerment and leadership workshop
solidify a sense of belonging and promote pro-social behaviour
establish strong support networks with surrounding schools.

Deadly Mana

Offered in Term 3 and Term 4

This workshop is designed to be delivered in collaboration with the Griffith Indigenous Outreach Team. As Year 11 students are entering final year, they step into the position of being role models within their schools. It is essential at this stage to generate awareness and facilitate conversations around cultural similarities. The workshop will focus on:

building relationships and trust between the students of Pacific and Indigenous cultural backgrounds
promoting pro-social behaviours as a response to local context of cultural misconceptions
establishing support networks in youth for community development and promote positive associations with tertiary institutions.

Year 12

Pacific LEAD Annual Networking and Career Pathways Conference

25 March 2022

This annual conference provides Year 12 students with networking skills and the opportunity to practise these new skills with Pacific professionals. Giving students the opportunity to engage with various Pacific professionals, promoting motivation and broadening awareness of career options through positive role-modelling. The conference will also give students the opportunity to:

develop career awareness and seek opportunities through consistent mentoring of relatable role models
create and maintain a support network
develop career management skills to help them succeed in their career.

Tutuvatu Series

The Tutuvatu series is an information service for the community that is culturally appropriate and addresses important topics that affect the Pacific community.

Tutuvatu: koha will aim to engage Pacific women with the objective of providing education on financial literacy and raising awareness of careers and qualifications in business.
Tutuvatu: legacies will aim to raise awareness of estate planning and addressing fears or hesitations surrounding seeking legal aid and raising awareness of pathways to a career in law.
Tutuvatu: health will aim to address health issues prevalent in the Pacific community and raise awareness of pathways to health careers.

Parent and community engagement

Parent Information Session

Offered all year

This session is designed for parents of Year 7 to Year 9 students to break down barriers and perceptions they might hold towards higher education. This session cover:

information about the Griffith University Outreach Programs
the current modern workforce and how it is changing
how to help students stay motivated through school and university
how to have career conversations with your people

This session is also an opportunity to provide information on general pathways to university to demonstrate options to upskill themselves through tertiary education.

One-on-one consultations

Offered all year

These consultations are designed to support students who have completed school and are thinking about transitioning into higher education. The consultations take students through the decision-making process on what pathway or course might best suit their goals and create articulating maps to help future students gain entry into their chosen degree. These consultations cover:

admission requirements and eligibility for programs
program offerings
support services available
QTAC application support

Griffith Pasifika Cultural Graduation

An annual affair, the Griffith Pasifika Cultural Graduation sees families, friends and community members come together to celebrate graduates' success. Many of the graduates are the first in their family to attend university. The acknowledgement of family support is an important Pasifika cultural practice and an opportunity for celebration. English is likely to be a second or third language, making graduates’ achievements even more significant.