THE CLUB'S industry leading ‘Read and Write like a Demon’ program has launched in a remote Indigenous community.

Three hours north of Alice Springs - past Liam Jurrah’s home town of Yuendumu - Alekarenge School became the first school in the Northern Territory to take part in the literacy program, with Neville Jetta and Colin Garland taking part in the program via Skype hook-up.

The program has been hugely successful in Victoria, and the club was excited to branch out into the remote, Indigenous community of 200 people. Like many schools, Alekarenge School faces the daily challenge engaging students in the classroom.

Ellie McKenzie, Digital Media Coordinator from the Club, attended the remote school to assist in facilitating the program.

Here is an excerpt from her journal;

On my first day at the school I was asked, “Do you have the sun in Melbourne?” after observing my pale complexion.  My pale skin wasn’t the only factor that set me worlds apart from the children.  In the world of Ali Curung, dogs are your blankets, your principal is called ‘Wombat Stu bro’ and kangaroo tail is a common meal. However, the one thing I did have in common with every single student was a shared love of AFL.

During lunch time it was common to hear ‘Jurrrraaaahhhh’ being screamed from the playground. It is this love of AFL that allows the Read and Write like a Demon program to revolutionise students’ engagement with reading and writing. No longer is reading and writing a task but a means to engage with Melbourne Football Club players.

The launch of the program saw the children Skype Neville Jetta and Col Garland, live from Ali Curung back to the MCG.  The Skype was used as inspiration for the children to continue to improve their reading and writing as well as a reward for their successes so far.

Following the Skype session, the school recorded an all time high in attendance. Now you can hear ‘Jeetttaa’ and ‘Garrlaanddd’ being screamed from the playground as well.