Chris Sarra
Chris Sarra is Director of the Queensland Government's Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership.[1] He was previously Principal of the Cherbourg State School, a primary school in the town of Cherbourg, Queensland. When Sarra first arrived, in August, 1998, the school was well below the state average on most indices. Slowly, Sarra's Strong and Smart vision lifted community expectations and transformed the school into a school with below average rates of truancy, growth in student numbers and low levels of vandalism. Chris Sarra's transformation of the school was recognised when he received the award of 2004 Queenslander of the Year. The work at Cherbourg State School is the subject of a documentary entitled 'Strong and Smart' produced the Australian Story series on ABC TV.[2]
Changes achieved[3]:
- 94% reduction in absenteeism
- significant improvements in literacy and numeracy
Abuse claims
It was also revealed in the ABC TV Australian Story broadcast that Education Queensland investigated several complaints against Chris Sarra and upheld four complaints made by students were he was "found to have grabbed, held and shouted" at boys under his care.[4]
Ken Smith of Education Queensland stated: "Chris has recognised that in those instances he may have overstepped the mark, and has given a commitment that he won't do that in future." [4][5]
Notes
- ^ Queensland Government Media Release "Indigenous Leadership Institute kicks goals"[dead link]
- ^ Good Morning Mr Sarra on ABC TV Australian Story broadcast on 4 Oct 2004
- ^ 2004 QUT Chris Sarra: Chancellor's Outstanding Alumnus and Faculty of Education Award Winner
- ^ a b Good Morning Mr Sarra on ABC TV Australian Story broadcast on 4 Oct 2004
- ^ Allen, Elizabeth (July 17, 2004). "Principal given a warning". Courier Mail (Queensland, Australia). p. 10.
Queenslander of the Year Chris Sarra has been given a rap over the knuckles by Education Queensland, but no penalty has been imposed. Mr Sarra, the principal of Cherbourg State School in the Burnett, has been told to be careful in the way he disciplines students. An Education Queensland spokesman said yesterday an investigation into seven complaints against the Cherbourg State School's principal had been completed. Three of the allegations had been dismissed.