Early in November this year the college was notified it was one of six successful applicants in a highly competitive field for the 2012 STREAM 1 funding round of the Artist-In-Residence (AIR) Grants Program. 

This program is funded by the Federal Government to allow professional artists to participate as artists-in-residence in schools to improve student’s access to quality arts education programs.  The program is implemented through ArtsEdge through the strategic arts in education partnership between the Department of Culture and the Arts and the Department of Education. 

We are very excited about winning this grant that will provide an outstanding once in a life time opportunity for our students and staff to work with professional artists from the Black Swan State Theatre Company (BSSTC). 

BSSTC artists will work in the school with our students and staff during Terms 2 & 3 of 2013 to deliver a series of workshops that will culminate in three theatre art productions.  Students will also have the opportunity to tour the Black Swan State Theatre in Perth.  Workshops will allow students and staff to develop creative skills, critical appreciation of theatre arts from the ground up to final production and a knowledge of the skills and techniques, language and conventions of this art form.  This will include drama, stage management, production management, stage combat, lighting design, sound design, set and costume design.  Those students who are not comfortable to be out the front will be able to be involved in the program through developing other skills in photography, videography, visual arts, marketing, music, sound, costume and lighting. 

As a school community we are eagerly looking forward to three productions that will culminate in all the hard work at the end of Term 3 of 2013.

“BSSTC are excited at the opportunity this partnership will provide for the company as artists in residence at the school.  We eagerly look forward to getting to know students and teachers, enriching their learning in the arts, working with them to create a fantastic production that focuses as much on the process as the product.  Black Swan are also excited to be working as a team to present workshops about some of the administration and backstage areas of a theatre company.  Opportunities for our Marketing and Production departments to present workshops helps connect the team with what is happening in the education department of the company.  It places more value on what it is we are doing that is not presented on stage but is equally important to the company and core to what we believe in.”

You can read more about Black Swan from their website : http://www.bsstc.com.au

For the second year in a row the college has become a state finalist and Top 4 Secondary School of the year in the prestigious Department of Education annual competition.

The award judging panel came out to the school recently to have a look around and to speak with staff members and students. They seemed very impressed by everything that they saw and with the general feel of the school.

We are thrilled to have reached this point of being in the final top four from a very competitive field. 

The nominations for the award must address each of the six selection criteria:

• student achievement
• student behaviour and attendance
• positive learning environment
• high quality teaching
• effective leadership
• community engagement.

The college is thrilled to be recognised by the Australian Association for Pastoral Care in Education (AAPCE) by being awarded the prestigious 2012 Norm Hyde Award.

The award recognises excellence in Pastoral Care in education.

Teachers Mutual Bank (TMB) sponsored the award.

AAPCE President Cathy de Thierry along with TMB WA Regional Manager Carolyn Murphy presented the award.  YBC Principal Janette Gee accepted the award on the school's behalf.

Our Pastoral Care program is centred on meeting the individual needs of our students and provides support to develop the dimensions of the whole person within a transformative learning and teaching environment. The ethos of our program is ‘one student at a time in a community of learners’.

The award recognises the wholistic approach where pastoral care is central to our everyday teaching and learning program. 

It is a great honour to win this prestigious award and testament to the great work undertaken by our dedicated and caring staff!

 [Pictured from left to right : AAPCE President Cathy de Thierry, YBC Principal Janette Gee and TMB WA Regional Manager Carolyn Murphy.]

It has been an outstanding year for our college with our staff winning or being nominated for a number of prestigious awards.

Our heart felt congratulations to Marie Adams, Year 10 Teacher and Literacy Coordinator at the college who was a finalist in the prestigious 2012 Women of Achievement Award. 

The Director General Sharyn O’Neill hosted the award presentation, in attendance with the other finalists and their nominators, reflecting on the deserving recognition of female teachers and school leaders in our state presented the award and certificates to finalists. 

The award recognises the OUTSTANDING contributions and leadership from women working in public education.

Congratulations Marie for recognition well deserved!

[Pictured from left to right : Director General Sharyn O’Neill, Marie Adams and YBC Principal Janette Gee]

The Yule Brook College community congratulates Cheryl Bettridge for being awarded the 2012 WA Outstanding Leader in Aboriginal Education by the Department of Education WA.

Cheryl is the Student Services Manager and a long serving staff member at the college.  Over the years our school community has benefited from Cheryl's unwavering commitment and drive to ensure all our students have the opportunity to achieve their potential. 

Cheryl has been the driver of numerous initiatives in Aboriginal education at Yule Brook College. During her time at the school she:

• established of the innovative and award winning Girls Academy program;
• coordinated an award winning attendance strategy;
• established breakfast and lunch programs;
• introduced a filmmaking program;
• was also a key player in implementing the Clontarf Foundation’s football academy program; and
• is an active member of the Aboriginal Innovation Schools committee.

Cheryl has worked to improve the teaching and learning environment by integrating Aboriginal perspectives across the curriculum, developing innovative strategies for engaging students who struggle in traditional settings, and organising professional development for staff. Cheryl is also very proactive in obtaining resources and funding for the school’s programs.

Cheryl’s leadership, enthusiasm and commitment have improved outcomes of Aboriginal students at the college.

We offer our congratulations to a well deserved honour!

You can read more about Cheryl's award from the web pages listed below :

Department of Education WA :

http://www.det.wa.edu.au/aboriginaleducationawards/detcms/navigation/winners-and-finalists/?page=3&

Perth Now :

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/special-features/girls-see-the-light/story-fnd1xzft-1226440664594