BHP Billiton partnership to boost opportunities for Hedland students
Premier Alan Carpenter today announced a new initiative by BHP Billiton Iron Ore to boost the literacy and numeracy standards of students in the Hedland region. Mr Carpenter said the $25,000 initiative, funded by BHP Billiton Iron Ore, would support improved literacy outcomes for students in Hedland, reward excellence in teaching, and increase student attendance. The Hedland strategy aims to improve the English language and literacy skills of all students in local schools.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Premier Alan Carpenter today announced a new initiative by BHP Billiton Iron Ore to boost the literacy and numeracy standards of students in the Hedland region.
Mr Carpenter said the $25,000 initiative, funded by BHP Billiton Iron Ore, would support improved literacy outcomes for students in Hedland, reward excellence in teaching, and increase student attendance.
The Hedland strategy aims to improve the English language and literacy skills of all students in local schools.
Visiting the region today, the Premier said the new initiative would be introduced to public and private schools across Hedland to support and encourage students in the region.
“Hedland is one of the most remote regions in Australia and faces a range of unique educational challenges,” Mr Carpenter said.
“This new initiative, along with those already in place in the region, will continue to meet those challenges and provide students with world class educational opportunities.”
The Premier thanked Local Member Tom Stephens, who sought support from BHP Billiton Iron Ore to look at ways to improve attendance and educational outcomes for students and schools across Hedland.
The Department of Education and Training will work with BHP Billiton Iron Ore to implement the initiative.
The initiative will be made up of a three-pronged strategy, including:
Up to $10,000 for professional development to implement the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Hedland Aboriginal Literacy Strategy in schools across the region, which have a significant number of Indigenous students; $5,000 to reward students with good attendance records. Fortnightly awards will accumulate over each term resulting in a major reward at the end of each term; and $10,000 to develop a new teaching award for the region which will be awarded to the most outstanding teacher in each Hedland school who demonstrates high levels of competency in supporting student learning. BHP Billiton Iron Ore Regional Manager External Affairs, Mr Richard O'Connell said the initiative was an extension of the education partnership between the State Government and BHP Billiton Iron Ore, which committed more than six million dollars in 2005 into improving education in Hedland and Newman.
"We understand that recognition for teachers who excel in guiding our leaders of tomorrow is sometimes difficult to achieve, yet important in attracting and retaining people in the profession,” Mr O’Connell said.
"We are very pleased to support the State Government in initiatives which recognise teaching excellence and will assist in improving education standards in the Pilbara.
"It also gives us great pleasure that our funding will go towards literacy and other programs to help keep our students in school, learning."
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