Positive engagement in education making headway

Yesterday I had the pleasure to speak with some exceptional young Aboriginal students in Northam about their lives and their dreams and aspirations for the future.

At Northam Senior High School I was impressed to see their programs making improvements to the educational outcomes, life skills and self-esteem of students, particularly through the work of the Clontarf Academy and the recently introduced program for young women, in partnership with the Wirrpanda Foundation. 

I also had the opportunity to visit Avon Youth, winner of the WACOSS Community Service Excellence Award, and talk with staff and three young people about how Avon Youth is helping them to re-engage with education.

These community services are crucial to ensure that young people are properly supported and encouraged by providing constructive learning environments that are functional and relevant.

These visits formed part of my State-wide consultation project, which is gathering the views, ideas and concerns of over 1,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

I have started to develop a comprehensive report that promotes the voices of Aboriginal children and young people. The report will be tabled in Parliament where the views of children and young people can be used to develop improved policies, services and programs.

Thank you to all the young people and staff who helped to make my visits so successful.

For more information about the consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people visit the Commissioner’s project webpage.

Jenni Perkins
Acting Commissioner for Children and Young People