Mr. Woodhams asks about teacher retention at Meekatharra District High School. Mr. McGowan admits he doesn't know the exact number but acknowledges high turnover, highlighting allowances and improved teacher housing, and praising the principal.

AnsweredQoN 770Legislative Assembly
Asked
28 November 2007
Portfolio
Education and Training

QuestionView source ↗

MEEKATHARRA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
I ask a supplementary question. I appreciate what the minister has said and that he does know the staff at Meekatharra District High School. Is there any indication of how many of those teachers will be staying on in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN

AnswerView source ↗

I do not have any indication of how many teachers will be staying on. However, the school does have a high turnover and probably always will. The allowances that we are proposing recognise that. Teachers also told me about the quality of the housing they now live in. The person I spoke to was very happy with the quality of housing for teachers. It has made a difference to their lives in Meekatharra. I really respect those people. The principal, Clive Reardon, is an amazing fellow. He came out from Canada - he is an Indigenous Canadian - to teach at Meekatharra. He is a First Nation Canadian. When he talks to the Indigenous kids, he says, “I’m Indigenous as well”, which means that he understands many of the issues that they are talking about. I think he does a great job. I put on record my congratulations for his work.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: I do not have any indication of how many teachers will be staying on. However, the school does have a high turnover and probably always will. The allowances that we are proposing recognise that. Teachers also told me about the quality of the housing they now live in. The person I spoke to was very happy with the quality of housing for teachers. It has made a difference to their lives in Meekatharra. I really respect those people. The principal, Clive Reardon, is an amazing fellow. He came out from Canada - he is an Indigenous Canadian - to teach at Meekatharra. He is a First Nation Canadian. When he talks to the Indigenous kids, he says, “I’m Indigenous as well”, which means that he understands many of the issues that they are talking about. I think he does a great job. I put on record my congratulations for his work.
I do not have any indication of how many teachers will be staying on. However, the school does have a high turnover and probably always will. The allowances that we are proposing recognise that. Teachers also told me about the quality of the housing they now live in. The person I spoke to was very happy with the quality of housing for teachers. It has made a difference to their lives in Meekatharra. I really respect those people. The principal, Clive Reardon, is an amazing fellow. He came out from Canada - he is an Indigenous Canadian - to teach at Meekatharra. He is a First Nation Canadian. When he talks to the Indigenous kids, he says, “I’m Indigenous as well”, which means that he understands many of the issues that they are talking about. I think he does a great job. I put on record my congratulations for his work.

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