12/11/04
Three Western Australian public schools have won national recognition for improving educational outcomes for indigenous students.
Education and Training Minister Alan Carpenter said WA was the only State to have two schools win High Achievement Awards in the inaugural Excellence in Leadership in Indigenous Education Awards, which were announced in Canberra today.
The awards recognise schools that excel in leadership, indigenous community involvement and improvements in targeted outcomes for indigenous students.
Katanning Senior High School and Swan View Senior High School are two of only six schools from around the country to receive a $6,000 High Achievement Award.
Carnarvon Senior High School is one of 17 Australian schools to be recognised with a $1,000 Achievement Award.
Katanning SHS, with 52 indigenous students from a total of 340 students, was recognised for programs that focus on improved student outcomes, indigenous community involvement, attendance rates, school-based traineeships and indigenous employment initiatives.
Katanning Principal Milton Butcher said over the last three years, the school had a 100 per cent Year 12 indigenous graduation rate. In the last two years, the school has also had a 100 per cent Year 10 to Year 12 retention rate for indigenous students whose parents are living in Katanning.
"The attendance rate for indigenous students in the schools has increased from 67 per cent in 2000 to 79 per cent in 2003," Mr Butcher said.
"The most important thing that has happened in our school is that everything we have achieved has come through working with the community.
"The school has a number of initiatives in place to assist students achieve Year 12 completion, attend regularly and improve literacy and numeracy outcomes.
"These initiatives are put into practice after school staff have sat down with community members and indigenous staff to ensure community aspirations are achieved, and culturally appropriate programs are promoted."
Swan View Senior High School, with 120 indigenous students out of a total of 850, was awarded for programs which focus on providing students with a range of performance opportunities, VET initiatives, affirmation of indigenous culture and developing community involvement.
Swan View principal Rob Nairn said the progress the school had achieved was very gratifying and the support from the community was huge.
"Previously, the most common outcome for the school's indigenous students was that they would leave," Mr Nairn said.
"Now the most common thing for them is that they complete their schooling, and then proceed to university, training or into the workforce.
"Perhaps what is most significant is the effect the attitudinal change of our senior students will have on the younger indigenous students in the lower years of school.
"By developing our programs with the community and involving them, we've got great support on the journey."
Mr Carpenter congratulated the schools, saying the WA public school system was committed to improving the educational outcomes of indigenous children.
"There are many committed teachers and administrators in public schools who work hard to improve the achievements of indigenous students," he said.
"There are encouraging trends in indigenous education and training in WA, including improvements in literacy and numeracy standards amongst indigenous students and a massive 812 per cent rise in the number of Aboriginal School Based Traineeships.
"In the Year 2000, there were just 22 Aboriginal students in traineeships. By 2003, the figure was 657 and by the end of 2004 we expect the number will be more than 800.
"These are students who, in many cases, would otherwise not been at school or in training or in employment."
The Indigenous Education Awards are an initiative of the 'Dare to Lead' program, which is supported by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training.
Minister's Office - 9213 6800
