Bound for Onslow

Today we woke to our first day in Karratha anticipating our first school visit to Onslow Primary School. A light, drizzly rain was falling as we were picked up at our accommodation by Bruce Macauley, Principal Consultant at Karratha District Education Office. The 330 kilometre trip to Onslow gave us plenty of opportunity to grill Bruce about the state of education in Western Australia and the Pilbara in particular. Bruce has had a colourful and diverse career in Western Australian schools from lower socio economic urban schools in Perth; remote indigenous school, Yandayarra (we are visiting there tomorrow); a modern Karratha school dealing with the booming population growth from the strong resources/mining sector and even a two year stint on the Cocos Islands. Bruce's wife, Lyn, is also a Principal at one of the

Karratha schools. Topic of conversation during our trip to Onslow was around the recently

announced restructure of the regional district boundaries dividing the state into 8 regions. A

school network structure similar to what has been created in Victoria is also part of the plan. The Karratha Network will comprise 10 schools but enormous geographical distances. Along with the creation of higher administrative roles with significant pay increases, powers and accountability, a spill of senior positions, such as Regional Directors, has created a stir. The implications for work in networks given the physical constraints is yet another challenge for our WA colleagues. Their system seems to comprise some of our Victorian elements whilst not embracing features such as local selection of principals and staff or self management at this point.

Onslow is a small, seaside township supporting the mining of salt and gas. The school is a campus of approximately 180 students aged from 4 - 17 years. Whilst the school is funded as a primary school, it also offers a secondary section for approximately 25 students. The school is housed in a stunning, modern facility which incorporates a kindy ( 4 year olds), pre primary (5 year olds), primary and secondary section. Assistant Principal, Sean, met with us to explain the school's work with the local community. Onslow Primary School is a National Partnership School, a federal government program for schools with 50% or more aboriginal students. These

schools are required to have formed a Schools and Community Partnership Agreement with their communities by the end of 2011 outlining the goals and objectives of the community for the school. This agreement is reached between representatives of the school, the local aboriginal community, the Roebourne Shire and the Chevron Mining Corporation which

sponsors programs within the school. Whilst in its infancy, it is felt this program will provide the processes to establish effective consultative processes for decision making that will better coordinate community decisions and strategies to benefit the children. The school's strategic plan incorporated Aboriginal Education strategies and the LOTE taught in the school is a local native language.

The indigenous community in Onslow incorporates three different aboriginal groups relocated to the Onslow area by governments over the years. These groups are quite separate communities with different cultures, customs, lore and beliefs that would not usually interact. The school has made significant inroads in the past ten years to create a more stable and positive learning environment for the students. This progress is attributed to the relocation of the school into new, high quality facilities which gives the community a sense of pride and value in their school. A strong, committed teaching workforce with a high work ethic and relevant local knowledge further boosts the school's successes for the students.

The children at Onslow Primary are fortunate to be taught by a highly professional and dedicated staff of teachers and support staff. As well as the fundamentals of reading, writing and arithmetic, teachers are also highly involved in health and attendance issues. The school offers a daily Breakfast Club for all students and staff at no charge. This program ensures children arrive at school after a nourishing breakfast AND on time for the beginning of the learning program. Staff often join the children for breakfast.

Another program evident in the school - which has been in place for at least 11 years - is the BBC program - Breathe, Blow, Cough program. A daily ritual at Onslow is for the entire school to assemble in the morning, tissues at the ready, to clear nasal passages to reduce Otitis Media. Indigenous children suffer from chronic ear infection which, if left untreated, cause hearing impairment and loss. At Onslow Primary, EVERY class teacher wears a Sound Field device to amplify their voices to cater for the children in the class with hearing impairments. These devices are not used continually but the teacher selectively uses them depending on the activity.

Student Attendance is a strong focus of the school at Onslow. Various strategies and programs are in place to monitor and motivate students to attend school. These include rewards, such as camps and sporting events, for students with high attendance records. Attendance charts recording each child's attendance and reasons for absence - reasonable or unreasonable - are displayed in the classroom.

Aboriginal Islander Education Officers (AIEO) operate within the school. These staff members hold long term "corporate knowledge" of the school and community ensuring continuity of programming when the stability of teaching staff is highly mobile. The AIEO also provide a strong link between the school and the community.

A recent community initiative in Onslow is a well resourced Community Garden developed on the school's previous site adjacent to the new school. The garden incorporated kitchen garden plots, a wood fired pizza oven, traditional cooking pit, refrigeration and chook pen. Each class has a gardening plot within the garden. The project was developed with corporate funding and enjoys strong community support.

The secondary sector at Onslow provides a strong "work related" integrated curriculum for students. Within an integrated curriculum, the two secondary teachers offer a broad and diverse program. Recent initiatives include students completing their "Skipper's Tickets". The students also participate in Design / Technology, Food Technology, ICT, Manual Arts and woodwork/ metalwork. In the Food Technology program, students select fresh produce from the community garden to cater for professional development and mining corporate events. Students are completing Hospitality Certificate 1 & 2.