Students strive for education success

More than 50 Aboriginal students have signed compacts promising to strive for excellence as they complete their high school experience.

The compact signing was part of the Follow the Dream — Partnerships for Success program at Hedland Senior High School.

Program co-ordinator Tanya Turner said having students, parents and the school sign a joint compact was a powerful way of showing students that their decisions, actions and successes matter.

“Our students are asked to commit to a number of personal responsibilities, such as being a positive role model for younger students and their siblings, not being afraid to ask for help and always striving for excellence,” she said.

“We also place onus on their families to ensure that there is home support for students to achieve to their greatest ability.”

Year 10 student Lauren Fuller said the program had provided help with her homework.

“It’s helped me start thinking about my future and planning for what I’ll need to do next year in Year 11,” she said. Students in the program are provided with a range of additional supports including tutoring outside of school hours, university and local industry visits, vocationally focused camps and academic extension sessions.

Students that are part of the program are high achieving and motivated Aboriginal students.

The program is part of the Port Hedland Educational Partnership and is funded by the Department of Education and the Graham (Polly) Farmer Foundation, supported by BHP.