DescriptionThis interview consists of two audio recordings and transcripts. Grahame Kidd was interviewed on 26 February 2003 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Shirley Kingsford McLeod. Interview SummaryGrahame is the principal of Cabramatta High School. He became a teacher because other members of his family were also teachers. He has taught at various schools, and has held the positions of Maths Master at Jannali Boys High School and Deputy Principal at Kingsgrove North High School before coming to Cabramatta.
97% of students at Cabramatta High School come from non-English backgrounds. They are predominantly Vietnamese, with some Serbian students. The school has about 1000 pupils. There are 100 teachers.
Most of Cabramatta High School’s students go onto university or TAFE after school. The school has many high achievers. It offers a range of HSC subjects, including vocational courses like construction and retail.
Cabramatta High School includes mature age students who have previously been to an Intensive English Centre. Cabramatta High School also holds English classes for parents.
English literacy is the biggest problem for the school as many students do not speak English at home. There are also cultural communication problems when relating to parents. The school is trying to overcome these problems.
Cabramatta High School holds multicultural days for students to celebrate their own cultures. These involve dances, food and clothing. The school wants students to continue to speak their native languages while learning English at the same time.
Cabramatta High School is the best school Grahame has taught at in his long career.
