Broome school short-listed for State award

A small primary school in the suburban area of Broome has been recognised for its strong commitment to indigenous culture.

Cable Beach Primary School was recently short-listed in the WA Aboriginal Education category for this year’s State teaching awards for the second consecutive year, but hopes to go one better and take the prize out after falling short in 2018.

The award recognises the way in which schools embrace and teach Aboriginal studies, as well as its support for its indigenous students.

Over the past year, Aboriginal and Islander education officers have begun to make home visits to the homes of indigenous kids to discuss student progress, attendance and achievement as a way of bridging a gap between home and the classroom.

The school is in the process of rolling out an extension program to assist higher performing students with their aspirations, while remaining focused on those struggling with literacy and numeracy.

Each building on the campus has a local Yawuru name representing different seasons, animals or plants.

CBPS deputy principal Ben Sarsfield said the school had also incorporated the Department of Education’s Aboriginal Cultural Standards Framework into each aspect of learning.

“I am a firm believer that good education is good Aboriginal education and vice versa,” he said.

“We have a 70 percent indigenous population at CBPS which is why we ensure this framework covers everything.”

CBPS principal Paul Neates said it was a very proud time.

“We thought we were a good chance last year and were disappointed to not win it, but have used it as a way to grow since,” he said.

“We looked at what we were previously doing and continued it then looked at areas where we could take significant steps and have achieved that.”

The Kimberley’s Wananami Remote Community School is also nominated for the award, as well as Baynton West Primary School and Yule Brook College.The WA Education Awards will be announced in October.