Settlers Primary School earns top prize in PALS Reconciliation Awards 2010

Settlers Primary School in Baldivis has won the overall PALS (Partnership, Acceptance, Learning, Sharing) Reconciliation Award 2010, for its efforts in co-ordinating projects that helped the school community learn more about the environment, art, culture and reconciliation.

PALS is an initiative of the Department of Indigenous Affairs in partnership with BHP Billiton and encourages young West Australians to develop projects to promote and advance reconciliation.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Kim Hames said the popularity of the program showed young people were committed to reconciliation.

"This year, a record 232 primary and secondary schools completed 268 reconciliation projects across WA," Dr Hames said.

"The PALS program is a demonstration of the willingness of young people to encourage reconciliation through shared learning; mutual respect; and cultural awareness and understanding."

BHP Billiton Iron Ore vice president HSEC, Carl Binning, congratulated Settlers and other PALS winners announced at the Wardarnji Aboriginal Cultural Festival, held at the Fremantle Arts Centre.

The winning project 'Recognising the past: looking forward', was co-ordinated by the Settlers Primary School, and helped students gain an appreciation of the local indigenous culture.

The activities included art and painting activities for more than 100 school community members, and the writing of a play about a dreaming story - called 'The Hand of Humans' - which was performed to an audience of about 1,300 during NAIDOC Week.

The whole school also participated in activities including the creation of a Noongar garden, and were taught more about indigenous culture, the food eaten and the clothing and shelters used during different seasons.

The school's PALS project co-ordinator, Marie Garvan, said that the program had helped the students learn much more about indigenous culture.

"The students even got to eat a kangaroo stew, which was a real highlight," she said.

"Through all the PALS activities, the whole school now has a better understanding of Aboriginal life, art and culture."

The PALS Reconciliation Awards 2010 winners were:

Overall Winner:

Settlers Primary School (Baldivis) for 'Recognising the past: looking forward'

Education Category:

Winner

Arbor Grove Primary School (Ellenbrook) for 'Bush Tucker Garden'

Runner-Up

Comet Bay College (Secret Harbour) for 'Employment and Aboriginal People'

Arts and Culture Category:

Winner

Baldivis Primary School (Baldivis) for 'Let's All Sing Together'

Runner-Up

Huntingdale Primary School (Huntingdale) for 'Cultural Fusion'

Health Category:

Winner

Cyril Jackson Senior High School (Bassendean) for 'CJ Bush Tucker Garden'

Runner-Up

Yale Primary School (Thornlie) for 'Solid Yorgas Looking Moorditja'

Sustainable Partnerships Category:

Winner

Australind Senior High School (Australind) for 'Roelands Kids'

Runner-Up

Georgiana Molloy Anglican School (Busselton) for 'A Coolamon we Share and in Harmony we Live'

Environment Category:

Winner

Ellen Stirling Primary School (Ellenbrook) for 'Exploring Noongar History & Culture at Ellen Stirling'

Runner-Up

Castletown Primary School (Esperance) for 'Raising Awareness of Indigenous Culture - wave your flag!'

Community Development Category:

Winner

Katanning Primary School (Katanning) for 'Coolingah Moort Dangoo Kadajiny'

Runners-Up

Millars Well Primary School (Karratha) for 'Consolidating Indigenous/ School Partnerships'

Gwynne Park Primary School (Armadale) for 'Engaging Parents in Successful Learning'

2010 PALS Showcase School:

Osborne Park Primary School (Osborne Park) for 'We Celebrate our Diversity'

Ongoing Commitment to the Creative Arts:

St Mary's College (Broome) for 'Sydney Connections Tour'

Troy Cook Youth Award:

Koorana Primary School (Warnbro) for 'Circle of Life'

Further information on the PALS program, finalists and winners is available at http://pals.dia.wa.gov.au

Minister's office - 9222 8788