❓ A parliamentary question addresses funding, literacy strategy implementation, truancy, and staff retention at Meekatharra District High School. The Minister acknowledges the challenges and outlines existing support and planned improvements, but denies prior notice of the question.
AnsweredQoN 769Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
MEEKATHARRA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL
My question, of which some notice has been given, is to the Minister for Education and Training. Given that Meekatharra District High School is classified by the Department of Education and Training as part of the country teaching program, which is perhaps better known as “difficult to staff” - (1) Will the minister consider changing the classification of Meekatharra District High School from the country teaching program to the remote program to enable it to access more funds and facilities and financially reward staff more appropriately; and, if not, why not? (2) Why has it taken until this year to introduce the Aboriginal literacy strategy to Meekatharra District High School, despite the percentage of Indigenous students totalling more than 90 per cent? (3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN
My question, of which some notice has been given, is to the Minister for Education and Training. Given that Meekatharra District High School is classified by the Department of Education and Training as part of the country teaching program, which is perhaps better known as “difficult to staff” - (1) Will the minister consider changing the classification of Meekatharra District High School from the country teaching program to the remote program to enable it to access more funds and facilities and financially reward staff more appropriately; and, if not, why not? (2) Why has it taken until this year to introduce the Aboriginal literacy strategy to Meekatharra District High School, despite the percentage of Indigenous students totalling more than 90 per cent? (3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN
AnswerView source ↗
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(1) Will the minister consider changing the classification of Meekatharra District High School from the country teaching program to the remote program to enable it to access more funds and facilities and financially reward staff more appropriately; and, if not, why not? (2) Why has it taken until this year to introduce the Aboriginal literacy strategy to Meekatharra District High School, despite the percentage of Indigenous students totalling more than 90 per cent? (3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(2) Why has it taken until this year to introduce the Aboriginal literacy strategy to Meekatharra District High School, despite the percentage of Indigenous students totalling more than 90 per cent? (3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(1) Will the minister consider changing the classification of Meekatharra District High School from the country teaching program to the remote program to enable it to access more funds and facilities and financially reward staff more appropriately; and, if not, why not? (2) Why has it taken until this year to introduce the Aboriginal literacy strategy to Meekatharra District High School, despite the percentage of Indigenous students totalling more than 90 per cent? (3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(2) Why has it taken until this year to introduce the Aboriginal literacy strategy to Meekatharra District High School, despite the percentage of Indigenous students totalling more than 90 per cent? (3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(3) What assistance is the Department of Education and Training providing to Meekatharra District High School to cut down on truancy rates, which sees one in three students missing every day of the school year? (4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(4) Given that 12 of the 16 staff members at Meekatharra District High School were new appointments to the school this year, how many staff will be staying at the school in 2008? Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN replied: (1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
(1)-(4) I thank the member for Greenough for the question. At the outset, I inform the member that I did not have any notice of the question. The member said that notice was given, but I had no notice of it. I am happy to answer the question, but I had no notice of it. Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
Mr B.J. Grylls interjected. The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
The SPEAKER : Leader of the National Party! Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
Mr M. McGOWAN : I am just stating a fact but I am happy to answer the question. I visited Meekatharra District High School and met with the staff, who are very good people who do an extremely good job. The principal’s name is Clive Reardon. He and his deputy have been there for about five years. The remainder of the staff have been there for a short time and they are often graduate teachers doing their first, second or third year of teaching. I felt for the staff there because it is not an easy location in which to teach. The staff have a lot of time for and put a lot of effort into the students at Meekatharra District High School. They are very good people. Meekatharra District High School does not meet the criteria to become a remote teaching school because it is not remote. Under the pay offer that is before the State School Teachers’ Union of WA, the staff at Meekatharra District High School will get a much bigger increase in their country teaching service allowance. From memory, the increase will be about $4 000 in addition to the pay rises that will be put in place. Again from memory, their allowance will increase to between $12 000 and $15 000 a year. We are dealing with this matter. I examined whether the school could become a remote teaching school but it did not meet the criteria. However, we have increased the allowance. The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
The Aboriginal literacy strategy is in place for young Aboriginal students who move around a lot. It includes special components so they receive consistent literacy and numeracy teaching each day at whatever location they are in. If they move between schools, there will be a lot of consistency in what they are doing. That will help those students. The school puts in a lot of effort to tackle truancy. It does have high truancy rates, as do a lot of schools in that part of the world. The school puts in an enormous effort to get kids to school. This has been a longstanding issue. It has been around for decades, probably more than a century. It will not be turned around overnight. We have to work with families and use the resources of schools. That is what the school is doing. It is a hard slog. There is no easy solution to that problem. That school is doing a very good job of addressing it.
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