Kingston Primary School in Australind is reported to be the first Australian School to receive a grant through the HP Catalyst Initiative, a global scheme to boost science; maths and technology education; and teacher training across the world.
Principal of Kingston Primary Alan Kidd said the $150,000 grant would give students the resources to come up with new ideas, work globally and challenge traditional thinking.
“We’re really excited about the possibilities this will bring, such as our students joining a lesson with students in Japan via virtual classroom technology,” Mr Kidd said.
The school intends to use the grant to provide staff and interns the resources to create virtual classrooms, and share ideas with international educators.
It is expected that teachers will also be able to connect with their former interns when they move to work as graduate teachers at other regional and remote schools around the State, and assist their professional development.
Twelve countries and twenty-one organistions are involved in the HP Catalyst Initiative, including the University of Exeter (UK), Renmin University of China (China), and public schools in Stamford, Connecticut and New Jersey (USA).