Schools and Education Support in the Pilbara Region

ADF members with school-aged dependants who are posted to the Pilbara Region of WA should carefully consider the schooling options available to their children. The Pilbara Region is remote from Perth. Karratha, the regional centre for the Pilbara, is located 1600km by road from Perth. The area is isolated and the population is small, so consequently the educational services on offer can sometimes be restricted.

Primary Schools

In general terms, access to primary schooling is excellent - parents will be hard-pressed to find differences between the primary schools in remote locations and those found in Perth. Other than a smaller number of children per school, the choices to be had are much the same. Schools are often smaller than metropolitan schools, but standards are high and choices are available for children.

There are two public primary schools available for Defence Families in Karratha, depending on the location of the member's house. There is also a Catholic primary school in Karratha. Contact the school for eligibility. There is normally a waiting list for this small Catholic School.

Millars Well Primary School (for Baynton residents)
08 9185 2400

Tambrey Primary School (for Nickol residents)
08 9144 2020

St Paul's Catholic Primary School
08 9185 1667

Port Hedland defence children feed into Port Hedland Primary School. Port Hedland also has the option of a Catholic Primary School.

Port Hedland Primary School
08 9173 1114

St Cecilia's Catholic Primary School
08 9173 2162

Carnarvon defence children feed into East Carnarvon Primary. St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic School (7-10) and Carnarvon Christian School are two other options that parents can investigate for their children.

East Carnarvon Primary
08 9941 1443

St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic School (K-10)
08 9941 1328

Carnarvon Christian School
08 9941 4533

There is only one option per town for primary Schools in Newman, Tom Price, and Exmouth.

Newman Primary School
08 9175 1352

Tom Price Primary School
08 9189 1030

Exmouth District High School (combined primary and high schools K-12)
08 9949 8888

High Schools

In high school, specifically Years 8 to 10, subject choices are similar to those offered in city schools. Standards of achievement are much the same, although school numbers in country regions will be smaller. One difference, however, is that languages other than English (LOTE) teachers are sometimes in short supply, thus restricting the availability and choices of foreign languages that may be offered at schools. No choices are available at Port Hedland Senior High School, for example, as the school does not offer LOTE.

Schooling post-Year 10 is offered in many towns in the Pilbara. However, parents need to be more critical in their decision-making when assessing suitability of schooling in these locations and at this level. If members have dependants in Years 11 to 12, they should be aware well before they arrive in the location that subject and course choices may be
limited, as fewer students continue with their formal studies after Year 10. The WA Education Department actively encourages young people to continue their studies into Years
11 and 12 - the legal school leaving age is now 17, which in WA is Year 12 level. Many high schools place an emphasis on vocational studies and wholly school-assessed subjects. There is an attraction for students to enrol in vocational subjects, as these can lead to traineeships, apprenticeships, and/or employment. Parents need to be aware that the availability of vocational studies may come at the expense of certain more traditional, academic
subjects. This, of course, will suit some students but will not suit others.

If a member's dependant is keen for entry into university or certain TAFE courses, then parents may need to consider whether secondary schooling in the Pilbara will be a suitable option. The School of Isolated and Distance Education (SIDE) works within High Schools in the Pilbara to offer those subjects that cannot be offered face to face due to class numbers. Whilst this of course is not as desirable as the traditional classroom environment, it is a viable option for students seeking specialist subjects not able to be offered at a high school.

Karratha is the only town in the Pilbara where parents have the choice of sending their children to one of two senior high schools. Karratha Senior High School caters for both academic and vocational studies, although a higher proportion of children are enrolled in vocational studies. St Luke's Catholic College offers an alternative program including an extensive range of academic subjects in Years 11 and 12. A significant proportion of the student population at St Luke's is non-Catholic.

Senior high schools in the Pilbara include:

Karratha Senior High School
08 9185 2155

St Luke's Catholic College Karratha
08 9144 1081

Hedland Senior High School
08 9172 8000

Newman Senior High School
08 9175 8100

Tom Price Senior High School
08 9143 8100

Exmouth District High School
08 9947 8888

Carnarvon Senior High School
08 9941 6000

Assistance

Members are encouraged to download the booklet issued by the Defence Community Organisation (DCO) WA, 'Education Western Australia' (link below) or to contact the Regional Education Defence Liaison Officer (REDLO) Lindsay Rollo on 08 9311 2379 or 08 9591 9596 for a printed version or further information.
http://www.defence.gov.au/dco/documents/Edu_WA_09_Screen.pdf

Defence Schools Transition Mentor

The Pilbara is fortunate to have another Education representative to assist with defence families educational needs. The Pilbara Defence Transition Mentor's (DTM's) role is unique. Instead of being based within a school, this role is based at the Pilbara District Education Office in Karratha. Rather than being responsible for a large number of children of Defence Personnel from one school, the Pilbara DTM is responsible for children undertaking their schooling in both Primary and Secondary Schools in a large and isolated area ranging from Carnarvon in the South, to Port Hedland in the North, Karratha in the West and Newman in the East, an area of approx 10 000² kms.

The DTM provides a constant point of contact for negotiations between schools, the Department of Education, the Regional Education Liaison Officer (REDLO) based in Perth and other DCO staff in order to benefit families and assist in the smooth transition of children into Pilbara Schools and their ability to access services provided by DCO and schools.

The role although based at the Pilbara Department of Education office in Karratha, extends into the boundaries of the Mid West Education District.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

" Travel to visit all Defence families within the Pilbara with the aim of one visit per term where possible
" Facilitating enrolment procedures and assisting with navigating the differences in start ages, curriculum and special needs assessment from other Australian states that can create challenges for families and schools
" Working in partnership with Australian Defence Force families, schools, the Pilbara Regiment and community organisations in order to support the child to integrate into the school community whilst developing self-confidence and resilience.

Please feel free to contact the DTM, Rachel Whiting at the Pilbara District Education Office on 08 9185 0111 or rachel.whiting@det.wa.edu.au to gain information about schools in the Pilbara before your posting, or at any time during your posting.

Useful Links

Schools on Line Open in new window

Karratha

St Lukes Collage Open in new window
St Pauls Primary Open in new window
Karratha Senior High School Open in new window

Port Hedland

St Cecilia Primary School Open in new window

Carnarvon

St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic School Open in new window
Carnarvon Christian School Open in new window

Photos