Coolbinia Primary School earns top prize for integrating

• Coolbinia Primary School named overall winner in the PALS Awards 2013

• Recognised for the development of a whole-school education program in

• collaboration with local Aboriginal elders and Aboriginal people

• PALS program provides funding for school projects focused on reconciliation

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Peter Collier today announced the recipients of the PALS Awards 2013 at a special celebratory event held in the Parliament House courtyard.  

PALS (Partnership, Acceptance, Learning, Sharing) is an initiative of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs that encourages young people to take a leadership role in strengthening the relationships that exist in their local community between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Mr Collier said the schools recognised in the PALS Awards should be acknowledged for their willingness to embrace reconciliation and for using education to help drive change.

"In 2013, 235 schools from across the State co-ordinated a total of 261 PALS projects that aimed to increase students understanding of our unique Aboriginal culture," he said.

"The continuing success of the PALS program is a demonstration of the willingness of young people to embrace reconciliation through shared learning, mutual respect and cultural awareness.

"I congratulate all of the schools involved for their creativity and thank them for the commitment."

Coolbinia Primary School was named the 2013 winner of the Environment category and the

overall winner for their project 'Kurongkurl Katitjin at Coolbinia' (coming together to learn at

Coolbinia).

The school developed and implemented a whole-school education program in collaboration with local Aboriginal elders and Aboriginal people. The school conducted a range of activities

including planting a bush tucker garden, lessons with Aboriginal musicians and artists, Aboriginal storytelling and Nyoongar language lessons.

The winning and finalist schools in each category:

PALS 2013 overall winner

Winner: Coolbinia Primary School, Coolbinia

Community Participation

Winner: St Paul's Primary School, Karratha

Finalist: South Newman Primary School, Newman

Student Engagement

Winner: Mingenew Primary School, Mingenew

Finalist: Arbor Grove Primary School, Ellenbrook

Health

Winner: Riverside Primary School, Greenfields

Finalist: Halls Creek District High School, East Kimberley

Environment

Winner: Coolbinia Primary School, Coolbinia

Finalist: Orange Grove Primary School, Orange Grove

Finalist: Ardross Primary School, Ardross

The Arts

Winner: Wesley College, South Perth

Finalist: Comet Bay College, Secret Harbour

Finalist: Beehive Montessori, Mosman Park.

For further information on the PALS program, visit: http://pals.daa.wa.gov.au  

Fact File

• 235 schools co-ordinated 261 projects across Western Australia

• PALS grants applications for 2014 projects will open in early February 2014

Minister's office - 6552 6300