The Western Cape College is a response to Education Queensland's commitment to improve educational outcomes for all students. The Western Cape College officially opened on January 1, 2002. This P-12 educational facility aligns the campuses of Mapoon, Weipa, Napranum and Aurukun.

A major impetus for this initiative in this location was the opportunities afforded by the signing of the Western Cape Co-Existence Agreement recognising the Western Cape as a community of common interest.

Each of the campuses has been organised into 'staged schooling' structures to provide best practice in learning and management. The College Director manages the strategic issues for the whole College and works with a range of community organisations and Education Queensland services to improve pathways, provide facilities, support and options for students. Each campus has its own 'Head', who oversees the management and operation of that campus. Each schooling stage has a leader, accountable for the delivery of curriculum, pastoral and administrative support.

The four college campuses retain some independence, in delivery of programs, but the College provides improved expertise and efficiency. All campuses are part of the 'New Basics' curriculum trial. Both Aurukun and Weipa campus' provide post compulsory curriculum, with a balance of both academic and vocational offerings.

The Western Cape College serves a diverse Community with widely spread social, academic and economic experiences.

Our diversity is not, however, our defining feature. Western Cape College is committed to maximising life choice for all students by maximising educational outcomes, standards of behaviour, attention and commitment to formal learning and its structure are emphasised across all Campuses.

We judge our success by the retention of students to year twelve and their choices in regard to further education or employment. This outcome is dependent upon a safe, supportive learning environment so the principles of equity and social justice are applied.

Success is also dependent upon consistent rigour so every year level and every student is critical. Data is collected on all students to track development.

We look forward to fulfilling our charter with you as a partner in you child's education.

- in achieving educational outcomes;

. Increase attendance of students at the four campuses

. Provide appropriate educational pathways.

Structure

The College Director manages the strategic issues for the whole College (P-12) and works with a range of community organisations and Education Queensland services to improve pathways, provide facilities, support and options for our young people.

An Executive Team oversee the operation of the college. Each Campus has its own Head of School who is accountable for the day to day running.

Physical Location

The Western Cape refers to the area of Cape York, Queensland extending from New Mapoon south to the Kendall River (Pormpuraaw). This is primarily a coastal strip with the coastline formed by the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Western Cape College communities and population are Old Mapoon 200, Weipa 2500, Napranum 1100, and Aurukun 860. All communities except for the town of Weipa are Aboriginal Communities with traditional ownership acknowledged.

The Campus Communities

Aurukun

Aurukun was established as a Presbyterian mission in 1904. The Archer Bay site had many casual visitors mostly of the Wik people. Much earlier the coastal people played a role in preventing the Dutch explorers of the seventeenth century from landing at Cape Keerweer. Many people remained outside the mission up until the 1950's ensuring the culture remained strong. Aurukun is also located on bauxite rich land. In 1975 the community was placed under direct state government control.

Following the Wik case the land has been reverted to Native Title held by the Wik people. The focal area of the Wik lies between the Archer and Edward Rivers of Western Cape York Peninsula and inland to Coen.

Mapoon

Formerly a Presbyterian mission established in 1891. By 1907, under the Reformatories Act, it was operating as an industrial school with dormitories filled with children from all over the Cape. In the1950's the discovery of bauxite saw mining leases taken up by Comalco and Alcan. In 1963 the Department of Native Affairs deployed people to New Mapoon. By 1973 people were returning to the site.

Mapoon is a small community of 200 people located along the shores of Port Musgrave 85kms north of Weipa. The community has a long history with many changes in the last ten years as the community re-establishes.

Napranum

Napranum is located 12 km south of Weipa, on the Embley River, on the West Coast of Queensland on the Gulf of Carpentaria. Formerly known as Weipa, Napranum was established in 1898 by the Moravian missionaries on behalf of the Presbyterian Church. Originally at York Downs's station, it moved to Jessica Point, the present site in 1932, because of malaria. At this time most of the people were Awngthim but soon people were brought from Old Mapoon (when it closed) and other communities. Bauxite was found on the reserve in the 1950's allowing mining to commence in 1960. The mission became a government settlement in 1966.

The community comprises several major Aboriginal Clan/language groups. The Traditional Owners of this country are the Alngith, Liningith, Ndrangith, Luwang, Changoth, Thainaquith and Mbaiwum - Troch people.

Weipa

This modern mining town is one of the world's richest bauxite deposit and has become a company town for several hundred miners and their families. The township of Weipa was originally developed by Comalco for its mining personnel. Reserves are estimated at 2500 million tonnes, enough for 250 years at the present rate of production. More than half the ore is sent to Gladstone for processing into alumina.

With the development of Weipa as a regional centre for government and tourism, the dependence of one company is changing in line with a policy of "town normalisation".

College Governance

There are two levels of governance structure at Western Cape College - the strategic level and the operational level. The strategic level concerns whole of College planning and reviewing, policy-making, monitoring and advising the College Director on strategic matters. To carry these tasks out the Western Cape College has a Management Board.

The Management Board is made up of representatives of all the stakeholder groups - administration; parents/caregivers; staff and students.