The first visiting cohort of Australian students have arrived in Papua New Guinea to participate in activities under the new Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership Secondary Schools Initiative.
Over the coming weeks, 150 students from 24 secondary schools across Papua New Guinea and Australia will be honing their leadership, teamwork and cross-cultural skills in PNG under the new initiative.
The initiative is providing exchange learning experiences in PNG and Australia through school project collaboration and mentoring for students, teachers and school leaders. Additionally, students will learn about local cultures and work on joint projects during visits to East Sepik, East New Britain and Central Province.
“A core focus of the PNGAus Partnership Secondary Schools initiative is investing in our people-to-people links and strengthening of the education and leadership capabilities of people so that our friendship today continues into the next generation and beyond,” said Australian High Commissioner to PNG, Bruce Davis, during a welcome reception for the students.
“I am delighted that participants will have the opportunity to travel to different parts of PNG, to learn more about this great nation.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to share educational experiences and ideas and chart how we can work together to make the PNG-Australia partnership even stronger.”
The new initiative was launched last month in Port Moresby by Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator Marise Payne, and PNG’s Minister for Education, Joseph Yopyyopy. It will target students in years 9 and 11.
It will directly reach over 2,400 students from 24 secondary schools in PNG and Australia to strengthen capabilities in areas such as science, technology, engineering and mathematics, English language, youth leadership and girls’ education.
In collaboration with the National Department of Education, the initiative is working with 12 of PNG’s highest performing schools. Each PNG school has been partnered with an Australian school from New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland or Victoria.
Papua New Guinea schools Australia schools
- Aiyura National High School, Eastern Highlands St Paul's School (Anglican), Queensland
- Anditale High School, Enga Bacchus Marsh Grammar, Victoria
- Gumini Secondary School, Chimbu Bundaberg State High School, Queensland
- Kerevat National High School, East New Britain Benalla P-12 College, Victoria
- Mt Hagen Secondary School, Western Highlands Mountain Creek State High School, Queensland
- Passam National High School, East Sepik Haileybury College, Victoria
- Port Moresby National High School, NCD O'Loughlin Catholic College, Northern Territory
- Sogeri National High School, Central Cherrybrook Technology High School, NSW
- St Gabriel Technical Secondary School, Western St Paul's College (Catholic), NSW
- St Mary’s (Asitavi) Secondary, ARoB Rockhampton Girls Grammar, Queensland
- Vanimo Secondary School, West Sepik Townsville State High School, Queensland
- Wawin National High School, Morobe Hurlstone Agricultural High School, NSW