Published
25 June 2012
Ministers
Awards for excellence in Aboriginal education
A school support worker whose dynamic program helped every Aboriginal student at her school graduate last year has won the prestigious Ben Drayton Award for WA Outstanding Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer, at the 2012 WA Aboriginal Education Awards.
Awards recognise public school educators making a difference
Teachers, schools & programs helping to close the gap in Aboriginal education
A school support worker whose dynamic program helped every Aboriginal student at her school graduate last year has won the prestigious Ben Drayton Award for WA Outstanding Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer, at the 2012 WA Aboriginal Education Awards.
Central Midlands Senior High School Aboriginal liaison officer Cheryl Chipper received the prestigious award after the Moora school achieved 100 per cent graduation for year 12 Aboriginal students for the first time.
Ms Chipper was the driving force behind the Senior School Engagement Program, which has resulted in significant improvements in attendance, graduation and education outcomes for Aboriginal students.
Presenting the awards today, Education Minister Liz Constable said the program had made a real difference to students deemed to be at extreme educational risk.
Dr Constable said the awards highlighted the excellent initiatives, programs and people in Aboriginal education in Western Australian public schools.
Other award winners included:
WA Outstanding Leader in Aboriginal Education - Cheryl Bettridge from Yule Brook College
WA Excellence in Teaching and Learning in Aboriginal Education - Yvonne Scott from Narrogin Primary School
Barry Hayward Award for WA Outstanding Aboriginal Teacher - Norma Willaway from Kalumburu Remote Community School
Milton Thorne Award for WA Outstanding School Initiative for Aboriginal Students - Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day at Southwell Primary School
WA Education and Training Council Award - Paul Bridge from Derby District High School.
The Minister said the awards were part of range of initiatives being pursued to make a difference in the lives of young Aboriginal people.
"Schools across the State are working with their communities to develop innovative initiatives designed to help Aboriginal students achieve success," she said.
Fact File
Details of the award winners are attached
More information about the awards: http://www.det.wa.edu.au/aboriginaleducationawards
Minister's office - 6552 5700
