Golden Win For School Program

EVERY Wednesday afternoon at Waterford West State School a group of indigenous children sit down together.

They catch up on things they might now have understood in class, they support each other and they chat.

The Dream Circle started in 2010, and as a result the school boasts “no gap” between indigenous and non-indigenous students.

Of 640 students, 80 are indigenous.

All students are taught the local indigenous language, Yugambh.

They have even sung the National Anthem in Yugambh twice at Parliament House.

Last week the school was recognised with a Reconciliation Award.

Principal Di Carter couldn’t be more proud.

“The awards have been going for 11 years and this is the first time a primary school has won,” she said.

 

The submission was based on two things, the after hours school program, Dream Circle, which builds confidence and academic support for our indigenous kids.

 

“But apart from that we teach the local indigenous language, Yugambh, and we teach that to all children across the school.

“As far as I know, we’re the first to do that, and we may well be the only school that does that.”

Ms Carter said as a result of the Dream Circle the school had “incredible” Closing the Gap data.

“Out indigenous kids outperform the state in terms of the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous students,” she said.

“The gap here, there is no gap.

Ms Carter encouraged more schools to take the Dream Circle on board.

Premier Campbell Newman said the awards honour and celebrates worthy organisations and their achievements.