MEET YANDEYARRA'S NEW SCHOOL PRINCIPAL

Andrew Whiting is the new Principal of Yandeyarra School.  He’s been there for three weeks and is excited to work with Aboriginal children in the Pilbara. 

“In the last ten years or so I’ve been working in schools down south such as Cranbrook, prior to that I was principal at Burringurrah Remote Community school out near  Mt Augustus also working at Meekatharra high school for four years.  This is my first time living in the Pilbara although we did live in Paraburdoo for a year. I’m excited to be back on country and working in remote community school.” 

Mr Whiting with Josariah and Marquade

Mr Whiting says he’s been a jack-of-all-trades and has also taken on gardening duties until the position is filled. 

 This week a crew from Census visited Yandeyarra and were surprised to find that many residents were not there. 

 “I've been talking with them about the prospect of using school computers here, Mr Whiting said.   They came out yesterday and found there weren't too many people out in the community at all. And, you know, I think, particularly for Aboriginal communities, getting census information is really important because of the government looks  at census information, I think in terms of support for communities and different projects and programs.” 

 Mr Whiting believes that relationships with children is a recipe for success when it comes to education. 

 “It’s all about relationships with the children, but also relationships with the parents and making sure that the schools were not a mystery island so that the kids know what's happening in the school. 

 “The parents get a sense of what's happening in the school with their children's education as well. So we can build up that capacity, build up that understanding over time to give them the best, the best start in life really, with their school experience and making sure that the school experience is a positive one, and is responsive to the need of  Indigenous Australians.