High school students help build better communities

8/11/05
Premier Geoff Gallop today announced the 10 public schools that will pilot the State Government's Community Service Program next year.
The program, which will be introduced into all Western Australian secondary schools in 2007, will see Years 10 and 11 students complete 20 hours of community service.
"We want all WA students to understand the value of giving their time to the community," Dr Gallop said.
"As well as building better communities, community service helps students develop leadership skills, social responsibility and citizenship."
The Premier launched the Community Service Program today in Beckenham, where more than 75 Year 10 students from Yule Brook College are helping preserve the local bushland, waterways and wetlands.
"As part of their science and environment studies, students are revegetating the bushland, planting saplings and building a boardwalk and nature trail," he said.
Dr Gallop said students would be able to do their community service either inside or outside school hours.
"For example, schools could sponsor their local war memorial and students could beautify the memorial garden for Remembrance Day activities," he said.
"Students could also volunteer their time to organisations such as Red Cross or Clean Up Australia, help out at an aged care facility, a soup kitchen or coach a sporting team on the weekend.
"Students will be able to undertake their community service at school by getting involved with cadets, performing in the school band or choir, working as a prefect or councillor or helping organise activities with primary students."
Students will record their community work in a logbook, detailing what they did and the number of hours completed.
Education and Training Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said the Government would pilot the program next year, to look at different types of community work available to schools and identify any issues before introducing it into every secondary school in the State.
"From 2007, the Community Service Program will be introduced for Year 10 students and will be extended to Year 11 in 2008," Ms Ravlich said.
"The 2009 Year 12 students will be the first to graduate, having completed community service as part of their WA Certificate of Education.
"The Gallop Government will spend $1.9million over four years to make sure the program is well managed and has strong administrative support.
"We will also work closely with organisations to ensure all students have access to suitable community work, regardless of where they live.
"Professional development is being provided to staff in the pilot schools and grants will be provided to some community organisations."
The 10 public secondary schools that will take part in the pilot in 2006 are:

• Applecross Senior High School
• Carine Senior High School
• Derby District High School
• Esperance Senior High School
• Merredin Senior High School
• Mirrabooka Senior High School
• Mirrabooka Senior High School Education Support Centre
• Morley Senior High School
• Rockingham Senior High School
• Yule Brook College.

The Gallop Government is committed to delivering a quality education to all Western Australians.
Media contacts:
Premier's office - 9222 9475
Minister for Education and Training's office - 9213 6800