Ready to Learn

School uniform jumper

Young Aboriginal male no longer qualifies for Abstudy, needs support for school uniforms.

The Aboriginal male is a strong role model in our school, both academically and in terms of his character. He turned 16 at the end of last year, so no longer qualifies for Abstudy, despite one of the key initiatives of the 'Close the Gap' campaign being to increase the number of Aboriginal students completing Year 12. He is a highly valued member of our school community and is on the Student Representative Council, requiring him to wear the formal school uniform at all times. The mother is a sole parent and is finding it difficult to meet all of his needs now that he is no longer receiving Abstudy.