WA Governor Kerry Sanderson visits Coodanup College

WA Governor Kerry Sanderson was welcomed with open arms by staff and students when she visited Coodanup College on Tuesday.

The school showcased its learning programs that included the Clontarf Academy, the Girls Academy and the Inspire academy that helped students plan their future career.

Principal Vicki McKeown said the staff had worked hard to improve the school in recent years. 

“We have a diverse range of students with different backgrounds and educational needs, so you have to cater for that,” she said. 

Ms Sanderson said she was impressed with the local school that was “helping each student to reach their full potential.”

“Coodanup has a good reputation for taking people from a disadvantaged background, in many cases, and supporting them by running helpful programs in correlation with their education,” she said. 

Education is close to the governor’s heart, being the WA patron of the Clontarf Academy and having hosted three forums that encouraged the expansion of programs for indigenous girls. 

“I was worried they were losing out,” she said. “The boys need the programs but the girls do as well.”

Earlier in the day, Ms Sanderson was treated to lunch on a Mandurah boat cruise and met with local representatives in Whitby Falls and Fairbridge.

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Ms Sanderson said she was inspired after her visit to the Peel region. 

“When I think of Mandurah, I think tourism. But today I saw so many different and exciting things happening in education, jobs, food and aged care,” she said. 

“Everybody has been really welcoming and happy to speak about the work they are doing in the community.”

The Peel Development Commission organised the governor’s itinerary on behalf of the region and aimed to convey that the community was working together to make positive changes, chairwoman Paddi Creevey said.

“Although we’ve got some challenges that we know very well, we are focused on making solutions,” she said.