College marks its independent status

The East Kimberley College has gained “independent” status after several years of pushing from the school community.

The college’s council chairwoman Helen Thorne said this meant from Term 3 the institution would have a higher degree of decision-making authority compared to a non-independent public school.

“East Kimberley College has demonstrated its capacity to use its increased flexibilities and responsibilities to make local decisions across a range of school operations to enhance education outcomes for students,” she said.

“It will continue to be business as usual at the college day to day.

“There will be a process to transition the current council to a board, of which the members will continue to work with the principal on areas of planning, reporting, budgets and governance.

“It by no means cuts all ties to the education department, the initiative aims to facilitate stronger engagement between schools and their community using different accountability processes, while still supporting schools within the public system.”

Newly minted EKC principal Bronwyn Wright said the independence announcement last Friday was a fantastic outcome.

“I know that many people have been involved for many years in working towards gaining the status and obviously this achievement recognises the journey and the governance processes that are in place at the college,” she said.

There are 610 independent public schools across WA including the 29 which were added to the list last week.

Fourteen of the new schools were in regional areas from the South-West to the Kimberley.

Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery said she was pleased to announce the eight intake of independent schools.

“The Independent Public School program draws on the strong relationships schools have with their local communities and gives them the autonomy to make decisions that best suit their students, staff and families,” she said.