Wiluna named regional school of the year for innovative education programs

A remote Goldfields school known for its innovative two-way science approach and Aboriginal language program has won a national education accolade. Wiluna Remote Community School was named regional school of the year at this year’s Australian Education Awards. Principal Emily Vandenberg said the award was not only a win for the remote school, but also an achievement of which the wider Wiluna community should be proud. “There are so many people in Wiluna who have a connection to the school and have played a part in its success,” she said. “In Wiluna, local services work together in providing a wraparound services model for Martu people, so a win for the school is a win for the entire community — it has been a combined effort.” Ms Vandenberg and long-term staff members attended the Australian Education Awards gala dinner in Sydney on Friday to collect the award. Ms Vandenberg said there “wasn’t a dry eye” among staff members who reflected on how much the Wiluna school had developed. “Moments before the award was announced, Wiluna had just won the table with the loudest cheers at the event,” she said. “Moments later, the eight nominees for regional school of the year were announced, and when Wiluna RCS was called there was a moment of shock for all the staff. “Martu representative and long-term school employee Anthea Cutter was so shocked she had to be reminded by another teacher to collect the award. “The students are also very excited. There are small fingerprints all over the trophy as they just want to touch it.” The annual awards celebrate the achievements of top-performing schools and staff across the country. Wiluna RCS was also a finalist in the best First Nations education program category. The school is well-known for its two-way science and Martu language programs. Two-way science is an educational philosophy that links Western scientific concepts with traditional Aboriginal knowledge. Wiluna RCS collaborated with Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation and the Martu rangers to integrate science, humanities and social science with the study of local Martu science and culture. Ms Vandenberg said the programs were aligned with the curriculum and allowed Martu culture to continue for future generations. “We understand that Wiluna RCS is not only providing a service to our students and community, but we are becoming a model school for First Nations education,” she said. “What Wiluna represents is many people coming together in joint purpose, and Martu culture is the umbrella that influences how we deliver these services. “We have also provided learning experiences to neighbouring schools and will be hosting a large workshop to educators this September.” The school also offers tailored programs for secondary school students which focus on job pathways in the Wiluna area. Since the awards nominations, Ms Vandenberg said the school had implemented Scaling Up Success, a program focused on improving the quality of teaching and improving literacy.