PNG and Australia working together: new Secondary Schools initiative gathers momentum

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 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 Papua New Guinea 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 the Honourable Marise Payne, and PNG’s Minister for Education, the Honourable Joseph Yopyyopy MP. 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, National Capital District	O'Loughlin Catholic College, Northern Territory
Sogeri National High School, Central	Cherrybrook Technology High School, New South Wales
St Gabriel Technical Secondary School, Western	St Paul's College (Catholic), New South Wales
St Mary’s (Asitavi) Secondary, Autonomous Region of Bougainville	Rockhampton Girls Grammar, Queensland
Vanimo Secondary School, West Sepik	Townsville State High School, Queensland
Wawin National High School, Morobe	Hurlstone Agricultural High School, New South Wales

For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100