Community

The vision of the Hastings Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) is to provide advice on all matters relevant to education and training with the mandate that this advice represents the Aboriginal community viewpoint.

The services and programs offered through the Hastings AECG have significantly increased and their advocacy role supports many parents and community in accessing quality education and training.

The services the Hastings AECG offers have continued to grow with STEM and Robotics growing in popularity and the inclusion of Cultural Dance.

The Hastings AECG advises and advocates on public policy that impact and affects Aboriginal people and their communities’ access and opportunities.

Hastings Secondary College has signed a partnership agreement with the Hastings AECG which is a statement of intent of how we work together.

This partnership allows Aboriginal people to have a voice in self-determining their educational future which will impact on the future prosperity of Aboriginal communities.

The working together of the Hastings Secondary College and the Hastings AECG is strengthened, under this Partnership Agreement, to achieve common goals set in consultation and negotiation with Aboriginal communities. It recognises the critical need to work together, across the college, to achieve the aspirations and potential of Aboriginal learners.

The Partnership Agreement is also critically important in fostering collaboration between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in promoting a better understanding of our shared history, respect and acceptance of both cultures and recognition of the unique place Aboriginal people have in this country.

Both organisations are making clear and specific commitments to one another about what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it and work through the challenges as they arise.

All good relationships are built on honesty and openness. Hastings Secondary College acknowledges that we must genuinely consult and collaborate with local Aboriginal communities to ensure that the work we are doing in our campuses is responding to the education and training needs of Aboriginal people.

Hastings Secondary College teachers and students are involved in professional learning to understand more about connection to country and the Hastings Aboriginal community.

Both campuses host the Hasting AECG meetings and work closely with the strong connection and engagement with Aboriginal staff working at District Office. The College is always seeking advise, best practice and professional learning for Aboriginal students, staff and community.

Keep Connected by liking the Hastings AECG Facebook Page.

When you graduate from Hastings Secondary College, you become a lifelong member of our alumni community and part of a diverse group of individuals across the globe. Hastings Secondary College is keen to stay in touch with its alumni community.  

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our remarkable graduates and provide opportunities for our alumni community to gather, share and benefit from an ongoing connection to the College.

From time to time we host networking and professional development events, keep alumni up to date on the latest College news as well as provide opportunities for graduates to give back and assist in the development of our next generation of graduates and leaders in our community.

Former students of Hastings Secondary College are welcome to visit the campuses. If you would like to do this, please contact us to arrange a time when it would be mutually convenient.

Like our Facebook page and keep up-to-date with College news and events - we would love to stay in contact.

Have some exciting news to share? We love hearing from you.

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

Sista Connections is a Aboriginal Girls program focussed on academic support, empowerment through entrepreneurialism and employment, wellbeing, and community connections. This space provides the girls with a forum where they can share the thoughts, vision, and dreams for the future.

The nine public schools across the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area work together cooperatively to deliver quality academic and wellbeing outcomes for over 4000 (have to do the calculation) students in this community.  Together, we are known as Hastings Valley Community of Schools.

The Hastings Secondary College Port Macquarie Campus P&C Association and the Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus P&C Association invite all members of the Hastings Secondary College community to advertise their business enterprises online. The Community Business Directory provides you with a comprehensive listing of businesses and services offered by members of our Hastings Secondary College Community.

Register your business

A general listing will allow businesses to increase their exposure and allow members of the community to search and find business contacts. Standard listings are free of charge and further options are available for those that wish to have a paid listing. Please view our advertising brochure for more information and details on advertising levels. To register your business, please complete and submit the online registration form and you will be contacted by the P&C Parents’ Association to confirm your details along with payment if required.

Types of listings

Volunteering is a great way to enhance skills and give back to the community.

College community work (volunteering work) is community work undertaken by students which:

• supports students' learning and career development
• directly benefits the community
• is organised by the campus
• is approved by the principal of the school as school community work.

School community work is undertaken voluntarily by students under the guidance of a supporting teacher.

Even if you have never participated in community volunteering before, it will provide you with a chance to support your local community, meet new people and figure out what you are good at. Be confident and open minded about the work you are doing — and about yourself too.

Volunteering opportunities are shared with students throughout the year. If you want to get involved in volunteering contact your Year Adviser.

WASCALS (Westport Aware Students of Cancer And Leukemia Sufferers) is a volunteer group at Westport Campus.

WASCALS is a charity formed by Westport Campus which includes group of inspirational students from Years 7 to 12, and teachers. WASCALS aims to raise awareness, support the community and give hope to those affected by cancer. WASCAL does this by participating and fundraising in events within the community so that funds can assist in the improvement of treatment, research, and prevention to beat cancer once and for all.

The group has approximately 40 students who meet each Wednesday lunchtime. WASCALS is a student-run group that has its own executive leadership team that run the meetings and organise students for events in which they participate.

WASCALS actively get involved in promoting safe behaviours regarding cancer on campus by fostering healthy messages at school assemblies, creating posters such as anti-smoking, modeling safe practices such as sun protective gear and applying sunscreen and participating in campus run events.

The group also participates in a range of events organised by larger organisations such as the Cancer Council, Camp Quality, Lions Club and various others. Each year WASCALS partakes in Relay for Life, Daffodil Day, Camp Quality, Christmas games and the Lions Club Australia Day games.

The group was recognised as a charity group in 1992 and have since its inception has raised over $300,000. Distribution of money goes directly to people living with cancer within the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area or the goes to fundraising activities where money raised goes towards finding a cure for cancer.  

WASCALS members are motivated and keen to have a sense of belonging, as it gives them a sense of accomplishment to feel like they have helped out the community by raising money and awareness.

The broader community can contribute by buying raffle tickets, donating goods for prizes in their raffles or give monetary donations.

You will see the crew in the community at Relay for Life enthusiastically participating in the event.

To find out more about WASCALS, contact the coordinator Andrew Parkins - a very dedicated team member of Westport campus.