School among the best

The State’s best educators, leaders, teachers and support staff have been singled out for the awards.

Wattle Grove is competing against Bruce Rock High School and primary schools in Comet Bay and Coolbinia for the best school title. Both high schools and primary schools are considered in the same category.

Principal Julie Roberts said she was delighted with the short-listing and the school was eagerly awaiting the results in December.

She said selection was based on six criteria ” student achievement, a positive learning environment, high- quality teaching staff, an effective leadership, managing school resources and community engagement.

She said the school and her staff were very excited with the results so far.

The school’s motto is ‘give to receive’.

Ms Roberts said the school was looking forward to panellists coming to assess the school early in Term 4.

She said the school prided itself on its 360-plus students being offered opportunities to participate in many events at venues outside the school.

Education Minister Peter Collier said a number of schools had multiple finalists, including Balga Senior High School with four, and Ashdale Secondary College, in the northern suburb of Darch, having three.

Sophie Mathers, from Balga, is in the running for WA Education Assistant of the Year, a new category introduced in the 2014 awards.

To help students in Balga get ready for their annual school ball, Ms Mathers established a Dress Bank, single-handedly getting more than 700 second-hand ball gowns donated for students.

‘The difference this made to the students’ confidence is immeasurable,’ Mr Collier said.

The winners will be announced at a breakfast on Monday, December 1.

The winning schools will receive $15,000.