Clontarf opens academy at Tambrey Primary School in Karratha

An academy aimed at improving the education, discipline and life skills of young Indigenous students has officially opened the doors of its building at the Tambrey Primary School in Karratha. The grand opening was held on June 3 as part of the school’s Reconciliation Week celebrations with the Year 4-6 students seeing their new classroom for the first time. Included in the celebrations was a reconciliation walk at the oval with all the students taking part as well as a picnic with parents before the Clontarf opening began. The facility is part of the Karratha Primary Academy and is the first stand alone academy for primary school students in the region. The program is also held at the other primary schools in Karratha and a high school academy is located at Karratha Senior High School. Clontarf mentor Greg Townsend said it was a fantastic moment for Clontarf and Karratha. Mr Townsend said it was important for the students to have their own space. “We’re really proud of what we’re starting off in the primary schools,” he said. “The guys I work with, we’re working extremely hard. It’s a little bit different than high school. “So we’re working pretty hard to get around and do everything we need to do, but the boys are really enjoying it to get a lot of support from the parents. “ Tambrey principal Shiona Hobart said Clontarf added to the support and facilities for the Indigenous students in Years 4 to 6. “So they have their own space in our school, they have relationships and connections,” she said. “So we hope to retain that and get them to high school and keep them engaged with school.”