Department of Education, Western Australia

The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement between the Commonwealth and WA State Governments is delivering record funding of $1.6 billion to the WA public education system. This funding will support crucial initiatives such as early literacy and numeracy assessments, specialised teaching resources and improved student wellbeing services. It will also aim to reduce teacher workloads, create more pathways into teaching and pilot innovative full-service school models that integrate community, health and social services. This agreement represents our unwavering commitment to providing every student in Western Australia with the resources and support they need to succeed. 

Joseph Banks Secondary College was thrilled to welcome the first astronaut to train under Australia’s flag, Katherine Bennell-Pegg to the school recently. Students tuned in from across the state for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a Q&A with an astronaut! Katherine toured the new Western Australian Space Science Education Centre (WASSEC) at the school which officially opens in Term 4. 

Secondary science and medicine students from across the state had the incredible opportunity to hear from Australians of the Year, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO, at Bob Hawke College this week. The students were deeply engaged in a detailed Q&A session, where they gained valuable insights into the groundbreaking melanoma research led by these esteemed professors. Rare opportunities like these ignite passion and curiosity within our students, and pave the way for the future of scientific discovery. Auspire - Australia Day Council WA | Melanoma Institute Australia #EduNews

Kewdale Primary School won Nathan, Nat, and Shaun’s Book Week competition and a $5,000 cheque from NOVA Entertainment and The Y Australia 📚 📚 Kewdale Primary School Principal Natalie Oddy says the winnings will go straight to the early childhood literacy program at the school. YMCA WA

Reaching new heights 👨✈️🛫 Students from MELVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL now have a clearer flight path into a career in aviation thanks to a new partnership with Qantas and Flight Training Adelaide. The secondary school is now one of only two Australian schools, and the only one in Western Australia, to establish such a partnership with the national flag carrier, which gives Melville Aviation students priority consideration for the Academy’s selection process. Learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gVk7n5Fn

Congratulations to Ashdale Secondary College's STEM Coordinator Stephen Warwick on being named School Science Educator of the Year in the 2024 Premier's Science Awards. This award celebrates a teacher or educator who demonstrates excellence in a field of STEM education in schools and who has made outstanding contributions to enhancing student engagement in STEM. Stephen has been instrumental in developing STEM learning pathways and inspiring students. His support of STEM teaching on a national scale and introduction of FIRST robotics at the college demonstrates his commitment to innovative STEM teaching practices. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gUNppZvc

Congratulations to our Digital Content team who has been awarded Gold at the 2024 Intranet & Digital Workplace Awards. Now in their 18th year, these are global awards that recognise outstanding contributions to the fields of intranets, digital workplaces and digital employee experience. The Department’s intranet – Ikon – was recognised as an outstanding example of delivering high-value intranet content in a clear, consistent and accessible way to a huge, distributed and diverse audience. Led by Sharon Maloney and Brad Elborough, the team is thrilled to have their hard work and passion acknowledged by this prestigious award. “I’m so proud of my team for their ongoing commitment to making Ikon the best intranet it can be for our incredibly important staff,” Sharon said. “By keeping our users at the forefront of all we do, we hope that in a small way, we are helping our staff in schools make a difference to the lives of Western Australian students.”

The 2024 Olympics may be over, but schools across WA relished in the Olympic spirit including DIANELLA HEIGHTS PRIMARY SCHOOL who held this incredible mini-tournament 🥇 🔥 We can't wait for the Paralympics which get underway 28 August!

Department Director Diane Konstantinou has been chosen to participate in the Public Sector Commission’s Women in Executive Leadership Initiative for 2024-2025. A cross-department initiative spanning 19 agencies, Di will have the opportunity to delve more deeply into the nuances of executive leadership, under mentorship by Deputy Director General, Schools Melesha Sands. Among other things, Di will have oversight of legislation and regulatory changes, building executive capability to effectively lead legislative change. Congratulations Di!

Our Director General, Lisa Rodgers, recently toured 4 regional schools in the Midwest, witnessing firsthand the incredible recovery and progress since Cyclone Seroja struck in April 2021. She was truly heartened to see the resilience and strength shown by the staff and students from these schools, as well as the local communities, as they rallied together to support one another. Binnu Primary School | Kalbarri District High School | Northampton District High School | Yuna Primary School