City-Country Partnerships Programme brings together St Mary’s College Broome and Chisholm Catholic College
28 August 2024
Chisholm Catholic College recently hosted 18 students and five staff from St Mary’s College, Broome as part of the City-Country Partnerships Programme.
The Programme supports the establishment of formal partnerships between high-performing schools and remote schools with a high proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
The two schools, together with Sacred Heart in Highgate, are working together in a three-year partnership (2023-2025) funded by the Yadha Muru Foundation.
Throughout this year, several meetings have taken place with different members of staff from Chisholm Catholic College visiting Broome to model STEM pedagogy. The three schools have worked together to co-create STEM projects, which were exhibited as part of the STEM showcase, held in Chisholm’s Br Olly Pickett Recreation Centre.
“I truly hope that we can come together once again and collaborate on another project, representing our two schools as one.”
Latisha, a Year 8 student
Latisha, a Year 8 student whose team had a STEM project displayed on the day said:
“Doing this event with St Mary’s College was quite enjoyable and intriguing for me, especially as the Broome students had set up a large display showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs and different perspectives on the First Australian people.
“Many students visited us specifically for the STEM Showcase, and I find it wonderful that they were willing to share and explore their ideas with us. I truly hope that we can come together once again and collaborate on another project, representing our two schools as one.”
The staff and students from St Mary’s College Broome were welcomed to Noongar country by Aboriginal Elder Josh (Vaughn) McGuire. Vaughn shared personal stories about his life and family, his connection to St Mark’s College, and emphasised the importance of education.
Throughout the visit, students from both schools engaged in a variety of activities designed to promote cultural exchange and educational enrichment. Chisholm’s Aboriginal Education students joined the St Mary’s College students on an excursion to the WA Museum Boola Bardip and Art Gallery, with students sharing insights into their unique cultural backgrounds.
One of the most impactful aspects of the visit, and the wider partnership, has been the opportunity for staff and students to build lasting friendships. Through sports, group projects, and social events, students bonded over shared interests and discovered new ones. The camaraderie that developed highlighted the universal nature of youth experiences, transcending geographical and cultural differences.
The visit to Chisholm culminated in a community engagement segment, where students and their families, as well as staff from both schools joined together for a dinner. Coming together around a common goal further strengthened the ties between the two schools and left a positive mark on the broader community.
Proposals for Term 4 and beyond are already underway with ideas and planning in place for future exchanges and ongoing collaboration, ensuring that the partnership continues to grow and benefit both communities.
