17/1/03
A record number of women have secured some of the most senior roles within the Department of Education and Training.
Announcing the appointments of 23 directors today, Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said he was pleased to see that 10 out of the 23 positions were awarded to women, including only the second indigenous female.
"The department has had a number of indigenous directors and a female school superintendent before, however this is the first time we have had a female Aboriginal Director of Schools," Mr Carpenter said.
The Minister said these appointments were a crucial part of making improvements to Government schools as outlined by the 2001 Robson Taskforce Report - Investing in Government Schools: Putting Children First.
"These appointments are five year tenures and will pave the way for the continued implementation of the Robson report recommendations," Mr Carpenter said.
"An important theme of the Robson Report was the need for the Department of Education to meet the educational needs of children and to refocus on the fundamentals of teaching and learning.
"These senior officers will play a key role in refocussing the department's efforts to improve teaching and learning outcomes."
The four Directors, Schools and Services roles are new positions, created to provide strategic leadership and co-ordination of service provision across the 14 districts in the areas of curriculum and student services.
Mr Carpenter said the new appointments would co-ordinate greater collaboration between schools and other agencies, especially tertiary education providers.
The four Directors, Schools and Services are:
Jan Little - Perth, covering the Districts of Perth/Joondalup, Pilbara and the Mid-West;
Jayne Johnston - Fremantle/Peel, covering the Districts of Fremantle/Peel, Bunbury, Warren-Blackwood and Narrogin;
Keith Newton - Canning, covering the Districts of Canning, Goldfields, Albany and Esperance; and
John Garnaut - Swan, covering the Districts of Swan, Kimberley and Midlands.
The 19 Directors, Schools are:
Fremantle/Peel: Rod Lowther, Peter Short, Kim Dullard
Canning: Lindsay Usher, Leila Bothams
Swan: Rose Moroz, David Price
Perth/Joondalup: David Axworthy, Jim Watterston
Bunbury: Neil Milligan
Narrogin: Jan Workman
Goldfields: Lesley Street
Albany: Neil Darby
Esperance: Donelle Morcom
Kimberley: Carol Garlett
Midlands: Margaret Collins
Pilbara: Rosa Lincoln
Mid-West: Rod Baker
Warren-Blackwood*: Denise Hilsz (Acting)
*A permanent director for the Warren-Blackwood region is in the process of being appointed.
The new appointments took effect from January 13.
Minister's Office - 9213 6800
