Family Group Homes

From a practical perspective, the Family Group Homes provide a welcoming base to allow Tiwi students to regularly attend the academic program of the school.

Most importantly for the young Tiwi, the people of the Family Group Homes are their "family when away from family."

FGH Parents have the responsibility to provide a calm, structured and friendly environment for the students to live and learn. FGH try to incorporate Tiwi ways into their learning.

As the vision statement suggests – the Family Group Home is a learning environment for life skills. Students will learn by watching and copying. It is expected that standards are set for the management of bedrooms. Students should also be included in the preparation of different meals.

The FGH Parents oversee a Life skills program two times a week. This focuses on Horticulture and Kitchen Operations. Every student has their own garden and are responsible for the maintenance and harvesting of its produce. FGH Parents instruct young Tiwi in the use of produce for a variety of healthy meals.

Morally, the FGH Parents are responsible for the care and supervision of students. This entails providing for the physical and emotional needs of students and offering moral guidance. Tiwi College recognises that FGH Parents cannot take the place of parents/guardians but recognises equally that in the absence of parents we must act in their stead. By taking the role with this in mind, the Tiwi students can gain a sense of belonging and trust; with the feeling of wanting to return. Here the program addresses the issue of student retention.

The staff and Leadership Team of Tiwi College recognise that FGH Parents are not teachers yet are responsible for assisting homework time after tea. This is followed by supervised recreational activities before supper of an evening.

In carrying out this philosophy, the bond between the school, boarding homes and communities at large will be strengthened as we seek to involve them in the life of the school.