TEACHERS have welcomed the Coalition’s $24 million election promise to Aboriginal education but one Armidale school is not waiting for the ballots to be counted.
Armidale High is running a new program to improve education outcomes for their Aboriginal girls.
Year nine and 10 students will undertake project-based learning around the operation of the school canteen, developing competencies in hospitality, retail and business.
Under the new scheme, the girls will not only achieve a certificate two qualification but also gain credit towards their HSC.
School principal Caroline Lupton said the program would give the girls an Australian qualification framework certificate and life skills.
“We are the only area in NSW that has this qualification on its scope of registration,” she said.
“It is an early commencement stage six, vocational training course that can count as two units towards their HSC.
“So it really will get them on that track to completing their HSC.”
The program is scheduled to begin next semester.
Deputy Prime Minister and New England MP Barnaby Joyce and Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullian announced the funding on the weekend.
Part of the announcement included a Girls Academy at Oxley High School in Tamworth, something Ms Lumpton would welcome here.
Armidale High already has a successful Clontarf Academy for boys and Ms Lupton said something that equally supported girls would be beneficial.
“Any initiative that helps girls to stay on, engages them in school and improves their educational outcomes has got to be a great thing,” she said.
