Gwynne Park Primary School has thoroughly embraced the old proverb ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, on its journey to meeting the diverse and whole-bodied needs of its students.
“It’s really about the extra mile that we go to providing things for our students like our Lego League, our STEM makerspace, art clubs, we have The Smith Family, counselling from Minnawarra House, our relationships with Mana and Kids Are Kids therapy, and all the external agencies that come into our school to provide that wraparound approach to make sure we’re creating those optimum conditions for learning,” Deputy Principal Tracey Irving said.
And last week that ‘full-service model’ at Gwynne Park was celebrated when the school was named as one of six WA Education Awards winners for ‘Excellence in teaching and learning (primary)’.
The WA Education Awards highlight the exceptional achievements of public schools and celebrate the important way they positively shape the lives of young people.
Last year, the school was proud to have been named a finalist in the same category, but this year’s recognition is the icing on the recognition cake.
“You should have seen me, I jumped out of my seat,” Ms Irving said.
“We’re all just so thrilled. It’s validation for the journey that we’ve been on at this school.”
Education Minister and local member Tony Buti was thrilled to see Gwynne Park succeed in its bid this year.
“Of course, as Minister for Education I champion all the schools in WA, but to have one in my own electorate… is fantastic, especially seeing the journey that Gwynne Park has been on to reach this accolade,” he said.
He praised the school’s commitment to “acceptance and inclusion” and “bringing the community on board”.
“There’s just been a real commitment each year to improve the delivery of education for each of their students, regardless of the challenges they might have,” he said.
“And that’s what they do.”
