The West Coast Education District
The West Coast Education District is situated in Noongar country and encompasses the Cities of Joondalup, Nedlands, Perth, Stirling, Subiaco and Wanneroo; the Towns of Cambridge, Claremont, Cottesloe, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove and Vincent; and the Shires of Gingin and Chittering.
There are 121 schools in the District ranging from small rural schools and district high schools to large metropolitan primary and secondary schools. There are also education support centres and community kindergartens.
The north and north-east corridors of the West Coast Education District have one of the fastest growing populations in the country. The student population is increasing annually with 47,000 students currently attending our schools. Four new Primary Schools will open in 2007 and it is anticipated that more will be required in 2008. New schools will also be needed in order to cater for the needs of secondary students.
This growth has led to the need for flexible delivery of schooling for students with vastly different education needs. Innovative programs have been developed as a result of consultative efforts between community and school representatives. Many schools have won awards and successful practice is showcased and celebrated annually.
This website will assist in expanding schools and classroom teachers' cultural knowledge and history of the Noongar people from and around the West Coast Education District. It includes curriculum resources and pointers to source other resources such as websites, videos, books and other publications.
The information on the site will also enhance the current understanding of local Aboriginal people, and foster greater appreciation their histories, cultures and languages and contemporary issues in society. This site will also help teachers and schools develop their own Aboriginal Education lesson plans that will be tailored to their own school and classroom environment.
Acknowledgement of Country
I respectfully acknowledge the Noongar people who are the past and present traditional owners and custodians of this land on which we are meeting. It is a privilege to be standing on Noongar country.