Gongs for SW school and worker

The South West has maintained its place towards the top of the WA education tree after it was awarded not one, but two prizes at the WA Education Awards.

Bunbury Senior High School was named the State’s Secondary School of the Year, the first time a regional school has taken out the title since 2015.

“We have nominated in the past and never got as far as being a finalist,” principal Craige Pettit said.

“I was a bit confident but lost all of that once I was on stage waiting for the announcement and I could see how big a deal this was.”

When his school was announced as the winner, Mr Pettit could scarcely believe his ears and said the award was really for the staff.

“The school executive team have been the backbone to this as have our leadership group ... I am immensely proud,” he said.

While BSHS claimed top honours at a whole school level, Eaton Community College student support officer Lois Little was crowned Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer of the Year.

Mrs Little was given the title for her previous work at Newton Moore Senior High School between 2010 and 2019 where she implemented the “taking students back to country” pilot program which focused on re-engaging at risk Aboriginal students.

“I’m overwhelmed by the accolades and the acknowledgement,” she said.

“I’m not a person who thrives on that, I like to sit in the background and do my thing but to be out there in the limelight was an absolutely amazing experience.

“The biggest reward for me is just knowing I’ve made an impact on those kids in a positive way and showing that you can do what you want to do.”