KEMPSEY WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL, NSW
SCHOOL:
Kempsey West Public School is a Government K-6 primary school in a rural centre 430km north of Sydney. The school had twelve mainstream classes and four Support Unit classes catering for students with a range of physical and intellectual needs. Of the school's 328 students, 149 are Indigenous.
PROGRAMS:
Indigenous community involvement in program delivery. The unemployment rate for Indigenous people in Kempsey is 96%. This provided problems (low socio-economic backgrounds for many students; absence of positive role models for work or employment in immediate families; parent/carer self-esteem) but also provided an opportunity: utilising the untapped potential within the local community. Kempsey West Public School already had programs in place to improve education outcomes for indigenous students and maintain meaningful relationships with local community members.
The school now has a K-2 Literacy and Numeracy program which involves an Indigenous community member working as a mentor with students individually or in school groups. Stage 2 Indigenous students participate in the Lexia Reading Program with the support of an Aboriginal Education Worker (AEW). Stage 3 Indigenous students are supported in their numeracy by an AEW. There is a Stage 2 Boys Business Program which employs two Indigenous community members as mentors as part of a program designed to support the development of social skills, positive relationships with teachers, increase attendance and decrease negative behaviours.
"Indigenous community members employed to support Indigenous students have gained confidence and have been excellent mentors to the students and also the outside community," principal Lyn Dockrill said. "We have led the way in Indigenous employment and community involvement by initiating the employment of Indigenous community members in a variety of programs to support students."
Pre-school to Kinder Transition. This program works with Dalaigur, a local Pre-school with 100% Indigenous enrolment. There is two-way communication established, with Pre-school staff visiting Kempsey West and vice versa, sharing observations on transitioning students and meeting their parents. Pre-school students spend time with teachers who will be their Kindergarten class teacher the following year.
OUTCOMES:
Increased enrolment
| | 1997
| 2002
| 2004
| 2006
| 2008
| Proportion of students who are Indigenous
| 25%
| 40%
| 43%
| 49%
| 52%
|
Indigenous community members employed: 9
Baseline data (2007) compared to post data (2008)
Early Stage 1 Indigenous students achieving ES1 outcomes in literacy: 28% 2007; 39% 2008
Stage 1 Indigenous students achieving Stage 1 outcomes in numeracy: 59% 2007; 73% 2008
Indigenous students achieving the minimum standard in numeracy: 64% 2007; 72% 2008
2008 NAPLAN data on overall literacy
100% of Indigenous students achieved minimum national standard (band two or above)
28% were in band two
38% were in band three
33% were in bands four and above
MORE INFORMATION:
Lyn Dockrill, Principal 02 6562 7044 or kempseywst-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au
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