To assist successful learning, our school is committed to working with Aboriginal parents, local Elders and community members in maintaining high attendance levels; developing a Personalised Learning Pathway (PLP) and providing relevant cultural programs for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Our Aboriginal student attendance rates are close to equivalent to the non-indigenous student rates. Every Aboriginal student has a PLP which is reviewed twice a year and each student selects a teacher mentor to assist them to achieve their goals. Aboriginal students are provided with quality opportunities to participate in cultural awareness activities, tuition programs, photography, art and traditional dance workshops, camps and other unique leadership programs.
The majority of our Aboriginal students meet or exceed the basic national minimum literacy and numeracy standards. The small number of students who do not currently achieve these levels are supported to improve by participating in reading programs and receiving intensive tutoring in literacy and numeracy from experienced teachers. All senior students are offered the opportunity to undertake up to three hours per week of additional tuition making use of specific Aboriginal RAM Funding.
Aboriginal students at WHS have a successful record of transitioning from school to work and further study. The majority of students have completed the HSC, while others have achieved success by combining academic studies with a variety of vocational and work readiness programs to prepare them for entry to the workforce. Students who leave school early have usually chosen a work pathway and leave to an apprenticeship or TAFE.