La Perouse Primary School smashes stats in school success

A public school in Sydney’s east with 50 per cent Indigenous students has beaten national attendance averages, quadrupled its enrolment and received a visit from the Governor-General.

Governor-General of Australia Sam Mostyn visiting La Perouse Public School to see firsthand students Yuluwirri Prince, 5, and Keandre Quinlan, 5, taking part in Indigenous-themed workshops. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A public school in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has more than quadrupled its enrolment rate over the past eight years, and its students showed off their engagement with local Indigenous culture to the Governor-General ahead of NAIDOC Week.

About half of students from La Perouse Public School are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background, a cultural context reflected in the school’s teaching of Dharawal – the language of the local community who were the first to encounter Captain Cook upon his arrival in Botany Bay.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn said it was “very special” to see what students had learned of the language, history and culture of La Perouse.

“A sense of attachment to culture, history, elders and language helps build all sorts of competencies that are wonderful for leadership,” Ms Mostyn said.

Ms Mostyn said 20 students from the school were scholarship recipients with the Go Foundation, many of whom she said had a “cultural connection (which) is as much a part of their attachment to the school as their educational attainment”.

Sam Mostyn at La Perouse Public School with Aboriginal Education Officer Selina Brown and students Marlee Mapapalangi, 11, Stella Ingrey, 12, and Isla Ryan, 12. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The school has a yarning circle where the community can gather, students are able to grow native edible plants alongside local business IndigiGrow, and tutors with the Gujaga Foundation teach the Dharawal language.

Principal Lisa Haller explained that all students at the school were “incredibly engaged” with the academic and cultural programs.

Ms Mostyn being shown around La Perouse Public School by school captains Stella Ingrey and Isla Ryan. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“They love it – our non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal kids,” she said.

“We’re the only school in this area that’s growing,” Ms Haller said – a testament to the school’s popularity with parents.

“A lot of our non-Aboriginal families are really impressed by the programs we offer, and they want their kids to learn all about local culture, local history and local language.”

Enrolments at the public school in 2016 and 2017 sat at 24 and 25 respectively, reaching 56 by 2019 – at the start of this year, the number had steadily grown to 112.

School captain Stella Ingrey and other students show Ms Mostyn some weaving at classes run by the Gujada Foundation. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Besides enrolments, the school’s success is also reflected in its average attendance rate of 89.5 per cent – slightly higher than the national average for non-Indigenous students, and more than 11 percentage points higher than the average for Indigenous students.

Co-school captain Stella Ingrey said it was “really important” for students at the school to be learning about the local culture and language of La Perouse – LaPa to locals.

“A lot of the kids come from outside of LaPa,” the 12-year old said.

“They might know their own language but they don’t know the history or anything about LaPa so it’s good for them to learn”

Both Stella and her co-captain Isla Ryan said they were inspired by the Governor-General having attended public schools like them, and shared their goals of attending law school.

“She went to public schools all her life, so it’s nice to know that even if you come from public schools you can go on to do really great things,” Isla said.