Dubbo College graduating year 12 students, from left, Macey Shipp, Yamirra Talbot and Marty Jeffery.

Closing the gap in educational advantage is a major focus for Dubbo College, with a record 60 Indigenous students graduating in 2017 with Higher School Certificates.

Students have created history by becoming the biggest Indigenous group the college has ever had sit and successfully complete their Year 12 exams. The number of Indigenous students graduating through Year 12 at Dubbo College increased by 50 per cent over the past 10 years.

“The school community has invested significant time and resources into supporting Indigenous students and the results have been very pleasing,” Dubbo College Senior Campus principal, Andrew Jones, says.

“Our approach has been first and foremost that if we raise all of our students up then we will raise our Indigenous students up so it’s very much looking at and supporting the individual.

“We have many of our Indigenous students going further in their education than their parents, with many continuing to tertiary studies following the Higher School Certificate.”

As well as providing strong in-house support programs, Dubbo College now has the Clontarf Academy to support Indigenous boys and the Girls’ Academy to support Indigenous girls at each of its campuses. Both organisations provide a vital link between the college and Indigenous families, and provide opportunities for students in school, the community and the workforce. 

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