August 9, 2013
by Marcus Priaulx
Filming of Cherbourg State School students is set to roll next week as their results have caught the eye of the State Government.
Camera crews are scheduled to arrive on Thursday.
The school is “closing the gap” through an holistic approach to education which ensures the children’s health and well-being are addressed while ath the same time teaching them culture and the curriculum.
All parts of the equation are given equal weight.
Principal Peter Sansby was contacted by Education Queensland to say it wished to highlight the school’s efforts with a film.
He was told there had been a significant improvement within its Year 3 students’ academic results, measured by NAPLAN, in relation to similar schools.
“It’s because of the dedication of our staff who put together the concept of health, well-being, teaching and culture within the school’s workings,” Mr Sansby said.
“We’re all working hard to ensure the children’s results continue to improve as they get older in the upper part of the school.”
How it works:
The school consulted with the community and placed a high expectation on its students’ ability to do well.
It also provides a high-level of education to the children about their indigenous traditions, culture and history.
Partnerships with community health workers and a sit-down dining café that serves only healthy meals, helps ensure the children’s well-being and readiness to learn.
“Mums and dads now need to ensure their children come to school every day on time so their children can chase their dreams and be the best that they can be,” Mr Sansby said.
“The community has told us the three things they clearly wanted the school to address was learning, culture and the children’s health and well-being.
“We’ve now developed a model to make that a reality. The children are responding and this is the system Education Queensland has acknowledged as best practice and will promote to other like schools at future conferences.”
