Media releases

Thursday, 17 February 2005

Alice Springs school wins nation’s highest award

An Alice Springs school has been recognised as Australia’s best achiever at an award ceremony in Parliament House tonight.

Charles Darwin University Senior Secondary (Centralian College) was announced as the winner of the $65,000 prize for school improvement at the National Awards for Quality Schooling.

A second school in Alice Springs, Yirara College, was also recognised, winning $10,000 for improving English literacy among indigenous students.

Local federal member Warren Snowdon praised the parents and teachers at both schools for their success.

“Centralian College's success in encouraging indigenous students to stay on through to Year 12 has been extraordinary," Mr Snowdon said.

“Tonight’s award is a proud moment for all of the parents, teachers and students involved, but the real prize lies in the school’s results.

“Thanks to the dedication of the school community, many more indigenous students in Alice Springs have completed the NTCE and been given the vital advantage in life that this brings.

“In a similar way, the parents and teachers at Yirara College have shown great commitment to their students by delivering education of such a high standard.

“I am extremely proud of both schools’ achievements and hope that their work can be transferred to other schools across the country.”

Over two years at CDU Senior Secondary, the proportion of indigenous students completing their NTCE rose from 9 per cent to 66 per cent.

In the same period, from 2002 to 2003, indigenous retention rates increased from 50 per cent to 80 per cent.

Ends.

Copyright © 2004-5 Warren Snowdon MP. This page was last updated on 25 June 2009.