Parkerville Gala to Fund Healing Gardens at WA's First $50M School for Traumatised Youth
A specialised school set to open in July aims to bring light back into the lives of children who have endured severe trauma, offering a sanctuary for those who have left the traditional education system due to overwhelming experiences. Spearheaded by Parkerville Children and Youth Care, the Parkerville Grove School is a Western Australian first, designed to provide a therapeutic environment for students in Years 7-10, with plans to expand to Years 11 and 12.
Gala Event Details and Theme
The Parkerville Gala, a final funding push for the school, will be held at Fraser's in Kings Park on March 27. The event is poignantly themed The Wizard of Oz: There's No Place Like Home, with proceeds dedicated to creating therapeutic outdoor landscapes that foster healing and recovery for traumatised youth.
Kim Brooklyn, chief executive officer of Parkerville Children and Youth Care, emphasised the mission, stating, "We're trying to create opportunities for these young people who never asked to be harmed." She explained that standard classrooms are difficult environments for these children, who have experienced various types of harm, including sexual and physical abuse, homelessness, and witnessing homicides or domestic violence.
School's Therapeutic Approach and Demand
The $50 million school will cater to students who have survived unimaginable circumstances, providing a therapeutic world to help them manage symptoms and enable learning. Ms Brooklyn highlighted the necessity of the facility, noting alarming rates of school non-attendance and poor life outcomes for traumatised youth in WA. "These kids have not had the opportunity to learn how to be in this world in a way that feels safe and secure for them," she said.
While the school will offer 90 places, demand already vastly outstrips capacity. Market research in the local catchment area identified 400 young people in desperate need of these specialised services, leaving organisers overwhelmed by the numbers.
Support from Long-Term Partners
The gala's success is bolstered by long-term partners Hancock Prospecting and Hancock Iron Ore, marking a decade of support for the organisation. Gina Rinehart, executive of Hancock Prospecting, stated, "Hancock supports Parkerville and the deeply important work it does to help young people work through dreadful traumas in their lives, and helps them to become the best versions of themselves." She added that with good care, stability, and education, these young people can re-engage with learning and build independent, better lives.
Proceeds from the gala will ensure the school's physical environment aligns with its mission, creating healing gardens that complement the therapeutic educational approach. This initiative represents a critical step in addressing the urgent needs of traumatised youth in Western Australia.
