From the Principal

Regional Education

The Rural and Remote Education Advisory Council (RREAC) visited Albany last week. The council provides the Education Minister with evident-based and solutions on education and training issues in rural and remote areas of Western Australia. The current area of focus is secondary (Years Ten and Eleven) and post-secondary student transition. The Albany forum provided opportunities for educators to discuss challenges that regional students experience in the latter years of secondary education and develop clear pathways for post-secondary destinations. 

On completing school many students leave the region to enrol in tertiary institutions or begin employment. Equity of education for regional students is important. Students from our region should not be disadvantaged when entering their post-school destination.

Data highlights the importance of providing support for regional students. This may be financially, educational, career guidance or counselling.

Last month the Australian government announced the allocation of $485 million to support 20,000 places in higher educational institutions. These additional places will provide more opportunities for Australians to enrol in areas of study of national priority. The places include:

Education (4,036 places)

Nursing (2,600)

Information technology (2,275)

Health professionals (2,740)

Engineering (1,738)

These additional places will focus on increasing participation for regional and remote students, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, students with disabilities, first nation students, and those who are the first in their families to study at university.

In speaking to a group of Year Twelve students today they unanimously agreed that the post-secondary pathway for a regional student to higher education is more challenging than their city counterparts. They feel completely supported whilst at school and in the entry process but are confronted with the challenge of accommodation and adjusting to city life. In comparison, the city student does not have to deal with these social and financial adjustments.

Pupil Free Day 

Just a reminder that the school is closed next Monday 21 August.

Student Recognition

Student recognition, with awards presented in front of their peers at assembly, is an important act to highlight positive aspects of achievement. Even the slightest positive student recognition does wonders for a child’s morale and enthusiasm about school, whilst the students in the assembly are provided with role models within their own classroom. There is much to celebrate in a GSG classroom, so I was delighted to distribute achievement awards at this week’s Secondary School assembly. 

Mr Mark Sawle | Principal