SAIL Program Newsletter

Christmas Party

Next week's SAIL will be the final one for 2001. In celebration, we will combine our regular tutoring session with a barbeque and a bit of a party-on. There will be food for everyone. At about 12.30pm, Santa and his team of hardworking elves will arrive with presents for each of the children. At 1.30, the kids will leave for a singing engagement (they are such stars - always in demand) and we will all collapse in a heap and relish a month of holidays. And that will be that for SAIL '01!

Photo gallery on the Internet

For anyone interested, and for anyone wanting to show off, there is a small photo gallery of the program now on the internet at www.iyv2001.com. You should also be able to find out about us on www.govolunteer.com.au very soon. There is a website in the works courtesy of our resident wiz, Patrick. Any contributions are most welcome.

Stars of Human Rights Day

SAIL's terrific twosome, twins Manyok and Achol Gatlwak, were introduced as the 'Special Guests' of Monday's press conference for International Human Rights Day. Note they received top billing over Tom Long of 'SeaChange' fame who was also there (and was heard to request an autograph from the two SAIL students - though this may only be a rumour). They handled the rather intense journalists extremely well, and behaved in a very poised and mature way! The kids were a feature on the Channel 9 news coverage, and made it onto SBS and 10 news as well. The artwork that everyone helped collect a few weeks ago was also featured and we got heaps of positive feedback about it. Amnesty are trying to launch the exhibition to travel around the country.

2002

We hope above all else that every single tutor will return to the Program next year. We already have a fair campaign in place to recruit new tutors in the hope that early on in the year we can have a majority of students one-on-one with tutors. This drive includes some flashy posters to go up at uni's and in schools, our internet ventures and some assemblies and other events for us to speak at.

To retain any new tutors, it is imperative that we have experienced people to help newees learn the ropes. With more tutors we should see an increase in individual attention and even more satisfying progress with every student.

The big change for 2002 will be the building. At present, a proposal is in the last stages of approval for major redevelopment of the site. In short this will involve the Hall be knocked down to make way for very low rent accommodation for recent arrivals and an all new church building (which may be two storey). SAIL will be involved in the design stage so that we can be sure that we are fully catered for teaching and storing space and, of course, room for our library- the pride and joy of the SAIL Coordinators. If it happens, it will be in the middle of the year and may involve a temporary relocation. We'll deal with this when it gets closer.

We are also considering increasing the Program hours for a smaller group of students. Some of the older students are in need of some extra time and attention, and it is hoped that we will be able to offer it in 2002. This will not involve many tutors, and for almost everyone the timing is likely to remain the same.

All in all 2002 should be a year to consolidate the unbelievable growth and success of 2001. We can be justly proud of the work we have done and just as hopeful that the coming years will be even better.

Thanks

We want to thank every single tutor who has contributed this year. This task last year would have been A-G congratulating herself. This year we have over 30 committed tutors to thank for giving up their time, their energy and giving such invaluable commitment to the SAIL Program. We look forward very much to seeing everyone after the well-earned break. Thanks to you all and have a wonderful festive season!!