As we conclude another remarkable visit to Sacred Heart School Beagle Bay (SHSBB), we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the SHSBB community for their warm welcome this week. The Chisholm staff feel privileged to be on Nyul Nyul country, learning from its people and contributing to a shared vision of growth and development.

Our partnership with SHSBB has a particular focus on improving school engagement, attendance, and outcomes in reading, mathematics, and school completion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The Yadhu Muru Foundation, which selected Chisholm for this partnership, underscores the power of high-quality education in transforming lives and communities. Their commitment to creating educational and employment pathways in the Kimberley region, especially in tourism and basic skills training, aligns perfectly with our shared goals.

Our previous visits to SHSBB have been guided by a philosophy of ‘deep listening’, where we seek to understand the community’s needs and aspirations. This approach has helped us identify ways to support the reopening of the workshop, which has been closed for seven years. Our initial efforts have focused on cleaning and preparing the centre, with plans to equip it with woodworking tools, a laser cutter and 3D printers. This facility will empower students to work on projects that they can eventually sell to tourists, such as bread or resin-based bait boards featuring local shells.

Looking ahead, we aim to provide SHSBB students with a 1.5 hour workshop each week in 2025. Additionally, we hope to collaborate on projects that incorporate cultural elements, such as a heritage walk around the Church and sharing stories from community members like Doris, Sacred Heart School’s Attendance Officer. This initiative is not just about developing practical skills but also about nurturing the students’ connection to their heritage and fostering community involvement.

The Yadhu Muru Foundation recognises that tourism can be a valuable educational and employment pathway, particularly in the Kimberley region where there is a skills shortage. This partnership, guided by the Nyul Nyul community, is an exciting opportunity to create meaningful, long-term outcomes the students of SHSBB.

As Chisholm continues to engage in this partnership, we are also committed to enhancing our own cultural competence. By learning from SHSBB’s teachers, we hope to enrich our Aboriginal Education programmes and ensure that we contribute to a system-wide effort to close the educational gap.

We look forward to continuing this journey together, fostering growth, learning and mutual respect between our communities.

Upcoming Events:

• SHSBB’s second visit to Perth is scheduled for Term 4, where staff will upskill in our workshop and engage in new projects
• Ongoing preparation for the Trade Training Centre’s reopening, with exciting developments planned for Term 4 and beyond.

Together, we can make a difference, nurturing the future leaders of Beagle Bay and beyond.

Mrs Belinda Pietropaolo
Deputy Principal – Administration