Climate change is high on the agenda for North Melbourne’s award-winning community arm, The Huddle.
Launching its new suite of ‘Waste Not’ GOAL! resources, at Springfield Gardens Primary School in Tasmania on Tuesday, The Huddle strives to help create a better future.
Aimed at grades five and six, ‘Waste Not’ will utilise career stories of sporting industry professionals from the North Melbourne Football Club, Australian Football League and Melbourne Cricket Ground, to encourage students to engage in the core subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
Kangaroos star and Tasmanian born, Ben Brown, said the GOAL! ‘Waste Not’ curriculum encourages young people to think critically about the environment and reducing their waste.
“Tasmania was an amazing place to grow up and still holds a special place in my heart, not least because it is one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world; with stunning mountains, unique animals and plants, and a rich diversity of sea life. I’m passionate about keeping Tasmania beautiful and minimising the harmful effects of pollution and waste,” Brown said.
“I wish I had the opportunity to experience this program as a student – the opportunity to hear from sports industry professionals about how they use STEAM in their jobs to solve complex problems.”
Aligned to the Australian Curriculum, the wider GOAL! program is a free online portal with resources designed by teachers for teachers. The program, aimed at grades five through to ten, integrates some of the most iconic sporting clubs into the classroom, to assist teachers in engaging their students in STEAM.
Since 2018, GOAL! has been used by 50 Secondary schools across Tasmania, rolled out in partnership with the Tasmanian Community Fund, Beacon Foundation and Spirit of Tasmania.
GOAL! teaching resources are available free via the Beacon Foundation’s cutting-edge on-line eBeacon technology.
“We have been really impressed by The Huddle and North Melbourne Football Club’s passion and commitment for education outcomes and inspiring young people throughout Tasmania to reach their full potential,” Beacon Foundation CEO Scott Harris said.
Spirit of Tasmania CEO Bernard Dwyer said it is an exciting initiative to be involved in.
“Spirit of Tasmania is very pleased to be continuing this partnership with the club, and to help foster the development of community initiatives across Tasmania,” Dwyer said.
The Huddle, received a major (three year) grant from the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) to work in partnership with the Beacon Foundation to develop and deliver GOAL!. The independent community funding body (TCF) was established following the sale of the Trust Bank in 1999 to give back to the community proceeds from the sale of a community asset. Since then, the TCF has provided more than $106 million to nearly 3,000 projects across Tasmania.
“The Tasmanian Community Fund board were impressed with the educational outcomes The Huddle is seeking to achieve by partnering with Tasmanian community-based organisations and schools,” Tasmanian Community Fund Chair Sally Darke said.
“The fund is particularly pleased The Huddle is bringing together participants and professionals from other sporting codes to collaborate on the program.”
To register and use FREE GOAL! resources and films visit www.goal.org.au.
More resources are being scheduled for release throughout 2020.
