WA schools excel in national indigenous education awards

as posted on MediaNewswire

Schools in Western Australia are leading the way in improving the educational performances of Aboriginal students after achieving outstanding results in a national awards program. Seven WA schools have been named among the "High Achievement' winners in the Dare to Lead Excellence in Leadership in Indigenous Education Awards, announced on Friday by Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard.


(Media-Newswire.com) - Schools in Western Australia are leading the way in improving the educational performances of Aboriginal students after achieving outstanding results in a national awards program.

Seven WA schools have been named among the ‘High Achievement’ winners in the Dare to Lead Excellence in Leadership in Indigenous Education Awards, announced on Friday by Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard.

WA Education and Training Minister Mark McGowan said the achievements highlighted the creative and dedicated work being done in WA schools to give Aboriginal students a better future.

“The winning schools are demonstrating that by having a clear vision and working together with indigenous students and the wider indigenous community, improved outcomes for Aboriginal students can be achieved,” Mr McGowan said.

“The work being done by these schools is making a real and positive difference to the lives of Aboriginal students.”

Winning schools in the High Achievement category received $6,000 and a commemorative plaque. They include:
Swan View Senior High School in partnership with Governor Stirling Senior High School and Lockridge Senior High School -The Midland Indigenous Youth Program is a joint initiative of these three schools. It works with industry and indigenous organisations to provide opportunities for Aboriginal students to complete Year 12, as well as supporting them to move into meaningful and sustainable education, training or employment. The schools have indigenous student populations of between 11 per cent and 20 per cent.

Yule Brook Community College, Maddington - In 2001, the school formed a working party to begin the process of engaging with the local Aboriginal community. The resulting Aboriginal Community Agreement has contributed to significant improvements in school enrolments and graduation rates and a reduction in suspension rates. Of the school’s 205 students, 65 are indigenous.
Aranmore Catholic College, Leederville -The leadership and commitment of the school’s Aboriginal Student Support team has contributed to a significant increase in Aboriginal student enrolments over the past eight years and an increase in indigenous student leadership opportunities.

Winning schools in the Achievement category receive $1,000 and a Certificate of Achievement. They include:
Challis Early Childhood Education Support Centre, Armadale -The Kartajin Danjoo school-based initiative is building a culture that treats education as a high priority. The school has built solid partnerships with the Aboriginal community and the initiative, although in its infancy, has already led to an improvement in attendance.

East Kenwick Primary School, Kenwick -The school has made significant progress in literacy and numeracy, with 100 per cent of its Aboriginal students achieving the Western Australian Literacy and Numeracy Assessment benchmark. The school’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for indigenous students have received strong community support.

The Dare to Lead Excellence in Leadership in Indigenous Education Awards recognise schools that demonstrate high levels of effective leadership, indigenous community involvement and improvements in outcomes.

The winning schools were determined by a panel of indigenous and non-indigenous educators which assessed each school’s application against set criteria.

Minister's office - 9222 9111

as posted on MediaNewswire