Twelve-year-old Tarzaiyah Sellings, who is in grade six at Toorloo Arm Primary School, has just received the exciting news that she has been accepted into the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) for 2026.
MITS is a transition school and boarding program for Indigenous students that come from remote and regional communities across the Northern Territory and Victoria. They state that through their program students go on to lead lives full of choice and opportunity.
The school provides a highly differentiated year seven and eight learning program which celebrates Indigenous cultures and enables each student to grow academically, socially and emotionally. It aims to transition students to then attend one of Melbourne’s
Pathway Schools for their year nine to 12 academic years.
There were 60 applicants for the 22 positions at the school and Tarzaiyah worked hard towards her aim to go to MITS. She went through a program starting with an Expression of Interest, interviews, showing herself to be a competent student and involving herself in sport. Tarzaiyah has represented her school in athletics, reaching district finals, and has a real passion for soccer. She has had the support of the Toorloo Arm School with principal Alli Hopkins speaking highly of her sporting ability, social and academic achievements.
“Tarzaiyah is definitely a leader within the school, doing speeches, assemblies, her sporting ability, and encouraging knowledge of Indigenous culture within the school,” Alli said.
Continued page 3
From page 1
Trish Sellings is proud of Tarzaiyah’s achievements and has been an encouraging figure along the journey.
“Tarzaiyah has not only been a leader in school but also in the community, she has done speeches and Welcome to Country,” Trish said.
“The program has been going for 10 years and this is the most applicants they have ever had – which is a testament to the quality of students who were successful. MITS does so much for the kids – they learn so much outside the classroom as well, it is a real wrap around approach. Even on
weekends they take them out to make it a holistic experience.”
Trish has now successfully mentored four students to attend MITS including Tarzaiyah’s sister Lailani Bransden and cousin Lily Hood. Both these students have gone on to attend the Star of the Sea College in Brighton where Lailani will complete her year 12 studies next year and Lily year 11.
Her older cousin James also attended and she saw the opportunities and education he was offered, particularly with his football.
“It is such a good opportunity to get an education. They make sure they have connection at MITS, that then builds them up to transfer to one of the quality pathway schools,” Trish said.
Tarzaiyah is looking forward to 2026 and made it quite clear she is determined to excel in her chosen sport, soccer.
“Definitely as a goalie,” she said.
