30/10/02
The Minister for Education and Indigenous Affairs, Alan Carpenter, today praised school children across Western Australia for their commitment to reconciliation of indigenous and non-indigenous people.
Speaking at the awards ceremony for the 2002 Our Future Together Schools Competition, Mr Carpenter said the only sensible way forward for indigenous and non-indigenous people was together.
"School students in WA have a very important role to play in the reconciliation process," he said.
"They have the opportunity to learn how to better appreciate the different cultures that help make up a strong and vibrant Western Australian community."
Five hundred students from Years 1 to 10 all across the State promoted harmony and respect for indigenous cultures by participating in the competition, which is run jointly by the Department of Indigenous Affairs and the Department of Education.
Students prepared colourful and innovative posters, written work and Power-Point presentations, illustrating aspects of indigenous heritage and culture, under the main theme: Our Future Together.
"I encourage our students to learn more about the history of Australia's first people," Mr Carpenter said.
"The Our Future Together Schools Competition is a small but important step towards developing an increased understanding and respect for different cultures."
Mr Carpenter said the standard of entries had been high and illustrated a real understanding of the issues facing Australians today.
Awards categories were:
- Year 1-3: Friendship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians;
- Year 4-7: Sharing and respecting each other's culture: Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal; and
- Year 8-10: Breaking down barriers between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.
In its sixth year, the competition attracted entries from all over the State, including schools from Carnarvon, Derby, Boulder and Albany. (Full lists of competition winners and all participating schools follow.)
Schools Competition Winners 2002 Year 1-3 Picture with story (maximum 200 words) - Class 1st: Donna Shepley's class, Tranby Primary School, Rivervale
- Individual 1st: Emily Leeke, Halidon Primary School, Kingsley
- Individual 2nd: Priyanka Howlett, Perth College Junior School, Mt Lawley
- Individual 3rd: Jessica Gregory, Perth College Junior School, Mt Lawley
* Special Commendation Year 1, PowerPoint, Dudley Park Primary School, Mandurah.
Year 4-7 Written work - Individual 1st: Sarah Priestley, Perth College Junior School, Mt Lawley
- Individual 2nd: Emily Webb-Smith, Dongara District High School
- Individual 3rd: Alex Martin, St Mary's Anglican Girls School, Karrinyup.
Year 4-7 Poster - Class 1st: Year 6A (Year 5+6), East Victoria Park ESC
- Individual 1st: Isabelle McGlade, St Joseph's College, Albany
- Individual 2nd: Emma Lockley, Yuluma Primary School, Innaloo
Year 4-7 PowerPoint presentation- Class 1st: Year 4, Room 14, Northam Primary School
- Individual 1st: Emily Webb-Smith, Dongara District High School
- Individual 2nd: Danielle Matthews, Northam Primary School.
Year 8-10 Written Work- Individual 1st: Katharine Huck, Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park
- Individual 2nd: Jana Saunders, Mater Dei College, Joondalup
- Individual 3rd: Matthew Ramage, Yanchep District High School
- Special Commendation to Jessica Folan, Mater Dei College, Joondalup.
Year 8-10 Poster- Individual 1st: Jody Nicholls, Padbury Senior High School
- Individual 2nd: Lily Ling, Padbury Senior High School
- Individual 3rd: Shianne Searles, Wanneroo Senior High School.
Year 8-10 PowerPoint presentation - Individual 1st: Alicia Binns, Swan Christian College, Middle Swan
- Individual 2nd: Philippa Foster, Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park
- Individual 3rd: Eliesha Kay, Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park
- Special Commendation to Laura Pachioli, Sarah Commander and Valeria La Pegna, Penrhos College, Como.
SCHOOLS ENTERED - 2002 OUR FUTURE TOGETHER COMPETITION Carnarvon School of the Air
Derby District High School, Derby
Dongara District High School
Doubleview Primary School, Doubleview
Dudley Park Primary School, Mandurah
East Victoria Park ESC
Halidon Primary School, Kingsley
Huntingdale Primary School, Huntingdale
Iona Presentation College, Mosman Park
Mater Dei College, Joondalup
Mel Maria Catholic Primary School, Attadale
Mullewa District High School, Mullewa
Northam Primary School, Northam
Padbury Senior High School
Penrhos College, Como
Perth College Junior School, Mt Lawley
Rostrata Primary School, Willetton
St Joseph's College, Albany
St Mary's Anglican Girls' School, Karrinyup
St Munchins Primary School, Gosnells
Swan Christian College, Midland
Tranby Primary School, Rivervale
Wanneroo Senior High School
Yanchep District High School, Yanchep
Yintarri Roman Catholic School, Boulder
Yuluma Primary School, Innaloo
Minister's office 9213 6800
