27 Nov 2018
Dubbo College warmly welcomed their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they toured the school’s Clontarf and Girls’ Academies.
Prince Harry and Meghan were greeted at Senior Campus by members of the College executive, before separating, with Prince Harry visiting students and staff in the Clontarf Academy and the Duchess meeting with members of the Girls’ Academy.
Both academies specifically cater for Indigenous students from Years 7 to 12 at all three campuses of Dubbo College, with programs to build leadership, self-esteem
and overall well-being.
The Clontarf Foundation, which began in Western Australia, aims to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
The Girls' Academy program works within the school system to drive community-led
solutions aimed at reducing the barriers preventing Indigenous girls from completing their education and reaching their full potential.
Both Dubbo College academies work to increase school attendance, advance academic and personal achievement, improve Year 12 graduation rates, and facilitate post-school education and employment.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with academy students and staff in their home rooms, before another meet-and-greet outdoors.
Dubbo College executive principal Stacey Exner said the school’s Aboriginal students made up 39 per cent of total enrolments, with an Australian record 60 Indigenous students successfully achieving their Higher School Certificate in 2017.
She said the visit by the Royal couple provided a wonderful opportunity for all students and staff to display their commitment to public school education.
“We were privileged to have the Duke and Duchess visit Dubbo College Senior Campus and we very much appreciate their interest in our Clontarf and Girls’ Academy programs,” she said.
“The Dubbo College Clontarf Academies were set up in 2014 and our Indigenous boys have been reaping the rewards of this program for five years.
“Our Girls’ Academy program began in 2017 and it too is a positive force for good with our Aboriginal girls.”
Senior Campus principal Andrew Jones said his school had been alive with excitement about the Royal visit since its announcement.
“It has provided an amazing opportunity for Dubbo College to showcase its educational programs to the world,” he said.
“As well as providing a broad-ranging education for all students, Dubbo College is clearly focused on closing the gap when it comes to Aboriginal educational outcomes.
“Today’s visit by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex serves to endorse the hard work our College is doing to address current inequities in Aboriginal education.”
