2. Dharug
The Dharug Cluster is located in Mt Druitt, Western Sydney-New South Wales, and comprises three primary, public schools all with significant Aboriginal student enrolments (links go to school site):
- Hebersham Primary School as the key school
- Doonside Primary School
- Blackett Primary School.
Hebersham PS has literacy, numeracy and student welfare as key focus areas and implementing Accelerated Literacy, QuickSmart, Spelling Mastery, Connecting Maths, and Connected Classrooms programs. In 2012, student enrolment was 592 with 16% of Aboriginal. There are 23 mainstream classes and three support classes. The school is part of the Low SES School Communities National Partnerships initiative.
Doonside PS has 202 students, 42% of whom identify as Aboriginal. Distinctive features of the school include open and collaborative relationships with parents and community. The school is linked with Wingarra, the regional Aboriginal preschool. The school provides a range of opportunities in creative and performance arts, cultural and sporting activities.
Blackett PS has a total of 270 students with 63 Aboriginal students.
All three schools are in a low socio-economic region with parents and children experiencing life’s challenges. In 2012, across the cluster there were 230 Aboriginal students and their families influenced directly or indirectly in the Make It Count project
Throughout our Make It Count journey we, the Make It Count team at the Cluster Key School (Hebersham PS), have had so many opportunities to work with and learn from a range of educators from across Australia. We have built connections with our cluster schools Doonside PS and Blackett PS, engaged in many meaningful discussions with our critical friend Associate Professor Peter Howard, heard from a range of educators, researchers and academic through participation at Aboriginal Education Conferences at local, state and national levels.
Cluster focus
What teaching and learning strategies need to be implemented to enhance the mathematics learning outcomes of Aboriginal students in, Kindergarten to Year 3- Early Stage 1 to Stage 1?
Cluster findings
These Make it Count Cluster Findings have been aligned with the Australian Professional Standards for Teaching. Many of the findings derive from Significant Episodes for educators. Find out about the cluster's intentions and the important stories its educators - their Signficant Episodes - that impacted their teaching.
Units of learning
These units of learning have been designed by teachers. They give insights into creative and innovative ways of teaching mathematics that engages Indigenous (and non-Indigenous) learners.
Inspiring stories
These stories – from the clusters, from educators, Aboriginal students, leaders and parents – tell their journeys, challenges, successes and will inspire educators. They will help you think about your own experiences in the classroom, school and community and inform your teaching.