- Bob Hawke Aboriginal Teacher Scholarship 2024 recipients announced
- Jessika Coenen and Jasper John awarded scholarship to complete their teaching qualification
- Scholarship aims to increase the number of Aboriginal secondary teachers in Western Australia
Two aspiring Aboriginal teachers with a passion for supporting and educating young students at regional public schools have been awarded a prestigious scholarship.
Education Minister Dr Tony Buti has today announced Jessika Coenen and Jasper John as recipients of the Bob Hawke Aboriginal Teacher Scholarship for 2024.
The Bob Hawke Aboriginal Teacher Scholarship is awarded annually to two prospective Aboriginal secondary teachers to support them to complete their teaching qualification.
Jessika Coenen was awarded the undergraduate scholarship and is completing her teaching course at Charles Darwin University.
Jessika is a proud Aboriginal woman, born and raised on the spectacular Wardandi country and has ties to Koreng and Wilman country.
She is currently employed as an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer at Dalyellup College and Maidens Park Primary School in the State's South West region.
Postgraduate scholarship recipient Jasper John is undertaking his teaching course at the Australian Catholic University.
Jasper is a proud Aboriginal man who grew up on Yawuru country in Broome, and has ties to Nyikina country in the Western Kimberley.
Jasper is currently teaching at Broome Senior High School as part of the Teach For Australia program.
The scholarship is named in honour of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke's support of Indigenous rights and his vision for a fair and inclusive Australia.
The aim of the scholarship is to increase the number of Aboriginal secondary teachers in Western Australia to ensure schools are culturally responsive environments.
As stated by Education Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Congratulations to Jessika and Jasper who were awarded this life-changing scholarship to complete their tertiary education.
"These two aspiring teachers are already making a tremendous difference in our education system, and I look forward to seeing all that they achieve when they go on to become qualified secondary school teachers.
"It is vital our schools are culturally inclusive spaces, and this scholarship ensures we are increasing the number of Indigenous people teaching in our secondary schools."
