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Christmas Island
The Territory of Christmas Island is a territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean. It is located 2,600 kilometres (1,600 mi) northwest of the Western Australian city of Perth, 500 km (310 mi) south of the Indonesia capital, Jakarta, and 975 km (606 mi) ENE of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
It has a population of 1,402 residents. These live in a number of "settlement areas" on the northern tip of the island: Flying Fish Cove (also known as Kampong), Silver City, Poon Saan, and Drumsite.
The island’s geographic isolation and history of minimal human disturbance has led to a high level of endemism amongst its flora and fauna, which is of significant interest to scientists and naturalists.
Phosphate, deposited as Guano, has been mined on the island for many years. 63% of its 135 square kilometres (52 sq mi) is National Park and there are large areas of primary rainforest.
Education
Christmas Island District High School
(The material below is taken from their informative web site at http://www.cidhs.cx/)
Education at Christmas Island District High School is delivered by the Education Department of Western Australia on behalf of the Commonwealth. The school is part of the West Coast Education District.
The school, until the end of 2002, operated as a K-Year 10 campus. In 2002 the first group of Year 11 students was enrolled and in 2003, 2004 and 2005, Year 11 and Year 12 students have formed the post compulsory cohort. Post compulsory students have the option of staying at Christmas Island or going to school in Perth; previously all post compulsory students went to the mainland. There is also a possibility of some of the post compulsory students being full fee paying students from overseas. There are currently approximately 380 students in the school.
The school operates from attractive buildings and has excellent facilities and resources. A building programme which started in 2001 was completed in July 2003, providing an Arts Centre and performance space, covered assembly area, additional secondary classrooms, seminar rooms, improved computer facilities and video conferencing room.
Excellent programnes operate within the school with a strong emphasis on catering for the needs of each student. The language of instruction is English but the critical importance of a student’s home language in the learning process is promoted and honoured. Extensive work has occurred in the use of ESL bandscales and Litnet. Malay and Mandarin are taught as LOTE subjects.
The Curriculum Improvement and Learning Technologies programs are well advanced at Christmas Island District High School, with strong emphasis having been given to changing pedagogy.
Interactive whiteboards are present in all teaching areas.
There is a strong emphasis on working collaboratively
For a video about the school see http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/26927041