Wananami Remote Community School named finalist in WA Education Awards

A small community school in the central Kimberley has been named a finalist in the WA Education Awards 2022.

Wananami Remote Community School, located in Kupungarri community around 300km east of Derby along the Gibb River Road, is up against a line-up of regional and metro schools, all of whom have between 400 and 4000 students.

With a cohort of 30 students from the neighbouring communities of Imintji, Kupungarri and Dodnun, Wananami is small but provides teaching and learning opportunities including sports, technology, gardening, cooking and culture-based activities.

As finalist for the Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Primary) award, the school has been recognised as having created an environment in which students are positively impacted through learning.

Wananami Remote Community School’s principal Nikki Sandilands said it was an honour to be included as a finalist.

“One of our strengths is community partnerships and how we work with Kupungarri, Imintji and Dodnun communities for the betterment of our students education,” she said.

“It’s amazing to think a little remote community school in the middle of the Gibb River Road has been nominated.”

Ms Sandilands said the community - which this year gained social media fame thanks to the school’s resident Brahman calf, Ghost - were “over the moon” when they found out.

“If you ask any of the students, they’ll tell you Wananami is the best school in WA,” she said. “So they were just over the moon.”

“We also did a walk around Kupungarri Community and let everybody know. We’re all super excited.”

The WA Education Awards 2022 include three titles - Excellence in School Leadership Award, Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Primary) and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Secondary).

Winners are set to be announced at a presentation lunch in Perth on November 18.