About the Swan District
The Swan District's name is derived from Maali (black swan), which lives on the Derbari Yerrigan (Swan River). According to Noongar belief, the Swan River was created when a serpent-like creature known as the Waugal left its cave in the hills, carving out the Swan Valley, river and land as it journeyed west to the ocean. The Noongar people hold great respect for the river as being the giver of life.
We refer to the traditional owners of the land in the Swan District region as Noongar. There is some variation in the spelling of Noongar. Examples of different spelling include Nyoongar, Noongah and Nyungar.
Swan Education district has the second largest enrolment of Aboriginal students in the State. There are 105 schools with 60 Aboriginal Islander Education Officers employed to assist and support the school community.
The Aboriginal Education program has been developed to be inclusive of future trends and policy documents, as well as building on the good work and best practice that has already been evident in the Swan Education District. The program draws heavily on key policy and legislative documents such as the:
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy (DEEWR)
- Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (2009-201). Key focus areas include:
- readiness for formal schooling
- attendance
- literacy and numeracy
- attainment of Year 12 certification or Cert II qualification
- industry-recognised skills, qualifications and life skills training
- Plan for Public Schools 2008-2011
- Classroom First Strategy (DET)
- Strategic Plan 2007-2009 (DET)
- Aboriginal school-based traineeships guide and resource manual
- Culture Strong, Career Proud Action Plan (2008-2010)
This year the Swan Education District has approximately 2600 Aboriginal students, representing 7% of the total number of students.