07 Mar 2019
Camden Haven High School teacher and Aboriginal Education coordinator for Distance Education, Kayla White, has been recognised at a state level by the NSW Aboriginal Education Council.
She travelled to Sydney for the Seven News Annual Gala for Young Achiever Awards, held at Doltone House in Darling Harbour on 1 March, where she received the Aboriginal Education Award.
“I’m still overwhelmed to be honest,” Kayla said.
When she arrived at the prestigious event, she promptly took a selfie to send to Deputy Principal and long-time mentor Mrs Sharon Westman with the caption: “Look at where I am!”
“She has done innovative things in our Aboriginal Education Program. [Kayla] unites our school with the local community,” said Sharon Westman, Distance Education Deputy Principal.
Kayla, who is proudly Biripi, was a student at Camden Haven High School before joining the staff in 2016. She said she was welcomed as a teacher and says she was lucky to have been appointed locally through a Department of Education scholarship.
“To give back to the community where I’m from is significant for me,” Kayla said.
Kayla always had a passion for Aboriginal Education with her first experience at Booroongen Djugun College, where she assisted in the education of Indigenous adults.
After working at Melville High School in Kempsey as an Aboriginal Education Administration Officer, where she was mentored by AEO Aunty Jacqui Walsh, she pursued formal training in Aboriginal Education.
“This is what I want to do,” Kayla said, “I know I want to be in education.”
The award winner says Aboriginal Education is more developed now than when she was at school, and she would like to see more availability of training in Aboriginal Education.
Kayla studied a Bachelor of Education at Sydney University through block-mode courses to balance her work and life as a mother, and went on to the Bachelor of Aboriginal Education.
“The block-mode program at Sydney University was very supportive for a parent,” Kayla said.
“I would really like to see more of [these programs]. It gives you a balance between current work and future career,” she said. “Especially for people in remote areas. We don’t have the same access and flexibility.”
Kayla is known for her individualised approach to education, taking care to create Personalised Learning Plans for Indigenous students.
“Transitioning from my childhood to the job I have now… makes it easier to understand kids and the way that they react,” Kayla said. “To have somebody see you and see through the things you find difficult but engage you in a way you understand.”
“Kayla’s experiences at school make her aware of what students go through,” said Deputy Principal Sharon Westman. “She is understanding of the families that live in our community because she is part of it. She understands not all students have the same upbringing.”
Kayla sees misbehaving students as more than disobedience, saying: “From my experience, there’s a reason why. Sometimes it’s because they don’t understand.”
“She has student’s best interests at heart,” said Sharon Westman, “She is always recognising the good in kids and nominating them for awards.”
Kayla nominated Distance Education student Tianna Graham for the Scouts Young Achiever Award at the same ceremony, who was a finalist in the category.
Kayla will continue her pursuit of Aboriginal Education excellence by enrolling in the Indigenous Languages course at Sydney University next year. She is a member of the local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group and represents the community at regional meetings.
