- WA Children's Week runs from October 18 to 26
Aboriginal students who made soap, youngsters who grew their own vegetables and a project to improve literacy are among the winners at this year's WA Children's Awards.
Presenting the awards under the Circus Joseph Ashton's Big Top in Duncraig, Education Minister Peter Collier said the theme of healthy children provided a fitting way to recognise public school students who had dedicated themselves to learning about healthy lifestyles.
"We know that leading a healthy life is integral to our children's wellbeing, confidence and development, and is vital for successful lifelong learning," Mr Collier said.
A program involving special needs students at Brentwood Primary School is among the winners. The students have learned new skills by creating a vegetable garden. They prepared the soil, planted seeds, harvested their crops and cooked the fruits of their labour.
Meanwhile, at Kalumburu School in the north of the State, Aboriginal students investigated ways to prevent and treat skin infections. They researched traditional indigenous hygiene practices such as collecting leaves from a local tree. They made soap infused with essential bush oils which are also natural antiseptics. The soap was donated to the local clinic and presented to families as part of an exhibition of learning.
Community Services Minister Tony Simpson said supporting opportunities that celebrate and promote children's potential was just one way to encourage them to flourish.
Winners are:
Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (Communities Award, Regional Services)
Paint the Swan REaD literacy campaign (Communities Award Metropolitan Services)
North Dandalup Primary School (Schools and You Regional Award)
Kalumburu Remote Community School (Schools and You Regional Award)
Room 4 Brentwood Primary School students, (Schools and You Metropolitan Award)
Alan Duggan (Meerilinga Adult Award for Volunteering).
Fact File
The Liberal National Government is overseeing important changes to children's education and care services across WA
The State Government donated $22,000 to Meerilinga Young Children's Foundation to co-ordinate Children's Week and the awards
WA Children's Week events at: http://www.childrensweekwa.org.au/
Partners include the Department of Local Government and Communities, Lotterywest, Department of Education, Healthway, School Drug Education and Road Aware, Jacksons Drawing Supplies, SeaShells Resort, Child Education Services, The West Australian and Mix 94.5
Minister's office - 6552 6300
2014 WA Children's Week Awards Winners and Highly Commended
Communities Award Regional Services
Winner: Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS)
BRAMS is a part of the Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council. It operates a walk-in medical service for indigenous and Torres Strait Islander children and pregnant women in Broome. The family centre offers primary health care, health education programs and family support. It has specialist services in paediatric development, behavioural therapy, disease prevention and nutrition.
Highly Commended: Camp Kulin
The Camp Kulin program, hosted by the Shire of Kulin, provides school holiday camps for general and scholarship campers from regional WA and the Perth metropolitan area, community group camps, and school excursions. The program teaches leadership, trust, communication, co-operation, self-confidence, self-esteem and respect. In its first 15 months of operation, Camp Kulin has worked with 500 children, many of whom have described the experience as life changing. They now use the skills gained in their daily lives.
Communities Award Metropolitan Services
Winner: Paint the Swan REaD
This is a community-based early intervention and prevention literacy campaign, which has so far helped 800 children and their families. The project was launched in 2013 with a committee of local community, government and parent representatives, it is part of a national program to involve the whole community in early literacy, with the aim of having children reading by the time they start school. The program has been promoted by visits to events, libraries and early learning centres, with packs of practical, easy-to-understand information about early literacy.
Highly Commended: Bully Defence Workshops
This program equips children with tools on how to deal with different levels of bullying. Using role play and scenario training, children learn to assess and manage situations and react accordingly. Children have learned skills that make them more confident and resilient when being confronted.
Highly Commended: IRISE (Aboriginal Racial Identity and Self-esteem)
A strong racial identity helps Aboriginal children connect with their world, aspire to the future and to be proud of who they are and where they belong. The IRISE program strengthens the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people with a particular focus on confidence and coping skills. The program highlights the importance of cultural continuity as a preventative factor against serious harm.
'Schools and You' Regional Award
Winner: North Dandalup Primary School
The school has engaged students and the community to develop a curriculum focused on learning through environmental education. By establishing a 'School of Environmental Consciousness', several projects have been initiated and maintained over several years. These include gardening, recycling, building and maintaining nature areas and sustaining native bush as well as caring for animals in their natural environment. An outdoor classroom has been constructed where children can observe, record, analyse and problem solve. Children work in groups, with older students leading their peers. They experience a sense of self-worth, achievement and confidence while learning valuable life skills. Teachers, parents and volunteers are actively involved in the projects which are supported by local community businesses.
Winner: Kalamburu Remote Community School - Orange Group
Year 5, 6 and 7 Aboriginal students researched how to prevent and treat skin infections, to increase their own knowledge and skills on family health. The students collected information about common causes of skin infections. They visited the local clinic to learn about the long-term effects of skin disease. Gathering health education material, they interpreted and presented their findings in an engaging way to the community through health messages on posters and brochures. They investigated traditional indigenous hygiene practices such as collecting leaves from the local soap tree and thought about how to incorporate traditional knowledge with modern practices. The project concluded with the students developing homemade soap infused with essential bush oils which are also natural antiseptics. The soap was donated to the clinic and presented to families as part of an exhibition of learning.
Highly Commended: Bunbury Primary School Creative Playground Initiative
The school has deterred poor behaviour in the playground by offering play-based experiences including dress ups, sand pit therapy, giant outdoor games, music, reading, drama, art, Lego club, sports and French skipping. Negative behaviour in the playground has been significantly reduced. Staff on duty comment on the many ways all children are actively playing and creating. The whole school community has worked together and contributed to a significant positive and engaging difference to the children and to the school.
'Schools and You' Metropolitan Award
Winner: Brentwood Primary School
Special needs students have been involved in learning new skills in the area of functional curriculum. Skills practised included soil preparation, planting, harvesting crops and cooking the fruits of their labour. The students were required to work together, plan and effectively communicate. Over the course of the project it was evident that the students were gaining confidence and satisfaction in contributing so positively to their school community while receiving encouragement and feedback from both staff and peers. Growing their own food has encouraged the students to make healthy eating choices.
Highly Commended: Bramfield Park Primary School
Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) is a program where older students apply for positions as 'PATHS Pals' and act as role models. The school received 40 applications for the eight positions each year. They meet regularly with the deputy principal to come up with ideas for promoting health and wellbeing, and support students with self-control, emotional understanding and problem solving in the playground.
Meerilinga Adult Award for Volunteering
Winner: Alan Duggan, York District High School
Alan has been involved in the volunteer program at York District High School for eight years. He is a trusted friend to disengaged students including those estranged from family members, students with mental health issues and those who feel isolated and vulnerable. Alan is a confidential, empathetic volunteer who is skilled when faced with honest and challenging comments and questions from students. He works with the school's administration to ensure the best outcomes for his mentored students. As part of the program and as an experienced volunteer, Alan willingly guides other volunteer mentors. Testament to Alan's contribution and the respect shown from students is that students request his support and go out of their way to see him in the community. He has made life's journey just that little bit easier for many young people.
Highly Commended: Joyce McGinn, Bunbury Primary School
Joyce is a dedicated, hardworking volunteer. No task is too big or too small for Joyce who is happy to change hats from the administration office to the library, to mentoring individual children in the classroom, to setting up for personal development courses and collating resources. Over three years, Joyce has become valued as part of the school community.
She is a respected Scouts leader, soccer coach, registered with the WA School Volunteer program and is a much loved mum and grandmother.
Highly Commended: Teresa Verkerk, Brentwood Primary School
Known as Nan to her students, Teresa has provided 50 years of service at the school. She has supported student wellbeing and the school's pastoral care program. To celebrate the transition from pre-primary to year one, Nan's tradition is to give a selection of teddy bears to the students. Nan has recycled the bears which are washed, repaired and are then beautifully presented with bows and accessories. Students treasure the bears and are asked in return to spread Nan's message 'be kind to each other'.
