Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery today announced a new component that has been added to the successful Pilbara Education Partnership with BHP.
The Rise Up program is a 14-month pilot program which will focus on supporting students to set individual goals to improve attendance and academic achievement, while also participating in leadership and mentoring roles and volunteering in the community.
A total of $602,000 has been allocated for the Rise Up program, in addition to the existing multimillion dollar partnership between the Department of Education and BHP.
A portion of the funding will go towards additional staff members who will collaborate with school leaders, students, parents and the community to develop the finer details of the program.
At least one trainee mentor for each school will also be appointed. Current Year 12 students at Newman Senior High School and Hedland Senior High School will be considered for these positions. Certificates III in Business or Youth Services training are being explored for the trainees.
Renewed in February 2021, BHP committed $6.6 million to the successful partnership to benefit students until 2023. The $602,000 funding for Rise Up is in addition to this.
Schools in Hedland and Newman along with Onslow Primary School, Jigalong Remote Community School, Marble Bar Primary School, Nullagine Primary School and Yandeyarra Remote Community School are supported by the partnership.
As stated by Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:
"BHP continues to work with education experts in the Pilbara to identify and provide opportunities to improve the lives of local students.
"As part of the Pilbara Education Partnership, the Rise Up program will be offered to all students from Years 5 to 12, and will be developed by school leaders, students, parents and the community to make sure it is tailored to their needs."
As stated by Pilbara MLA Kevin Michel:
"Through education, we are able to give students opportunities to experience life in the workplace and gain valuable skills for employment, further training or further study.
"I thank BHP for its commitment to education and students in our region."
