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City of Swan rangers have found nothing after responding to reports a a dog was trapped down a drain in Beechboro on Thursday morning
The City sent machinery to lift the concrete inspection cover
but a camera lowered into the area found nothing
Ten-year-old Braden Jackson and his friends made the discovery about 5pm on Wednesday
Nine News Perth reporter Nathan Brooks said from the scene on Thursday morning
"We walked back down the street and we could hear this yelping sound; it sounded like a duck," the boy told the station
"We put our ears near it then came up here and banged on the door and said we can hear a dog down the drain."
His father called emergency services who arrived around 7pm and tried without success to get access to the area the dog was thought to be
It is the second time this year emergency services have searched drains for an apparently nonexistent dog
In January, RSPCA inspectors' search for a dog residents reported barking in a drain in Yanchep turned up nothing
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City of Swan rangers have found nothing after responding to reports a a dog was trapped down a drain in Beechboro on Thursday morning.
The City sent machinery to lift the concrete inspection cover, but a camera lowered into the area found nothing, staff confirmed.
Ten-year-old Braden Jackson and his friends made the discovery about 5pm on Wednesday, Nine News Perth reporter Nathan Brooks said from the scene on Thursday morning.
\\\"We walked back down the street and we could hear this yelping sound; it sounded like a duck,\\\" the boy told the station.
\\\"We put our ears near it then came up here and banged on the door and said we can hear a dog down the drain.\\\"
His father called emergency services who arrived around 7pm and tried without success to get access to the area the dog was thought to be.
It is the second time this year emergency services have searched drains for an apparently nonexistent dog.
The man was taken into custody after crashing his car on Camboon Road in Morley. (Supplied: Night News)
Link copiedShareShare articleA man who allegedly fired 18 gunshots at four cars, narrowly missing the occupants, as he drove through the Perth suburb of Beechboro has been arrested and charged by police following a high-speed pursuit.
Abdul Fatha Popal, 34, was taken into custody by heavily armed members of the police Tactical Response Group (TRG) after crashing his vehicle in Morley during last night's chase.
"Detectives identified a man and located him driving in the Thornlie area at approximately 8pm last night," a police spokesman said.
Officers pursued Popal's car through several suburbs before it was stopped near the intersection of Camboon Road and Wellington Road in Morley.
A loaded gun was allegedly found in the man's car after the chase ended. (Supplied: Night News)
"Police will allege that during a search of the vehicle they located a loaded handgun on front passenger seat of the car," a police spokesman said.
Popal, from Thornlie, is accused of shooting at four vehicles on Beechboro Road North between 7:00am and 8:00am on Saturday, near the Potters House Christian Centre.
At least two bullets hit windscreens, with one shot narrowly missing the driver of one vehicle.
Police said it was lucky no-one was killed.
Popal is believed to have been living with his parents. (ABC News: David Weber)
Popal made a brief appearance in Midland Magistrates Court charged with a string of offences after being questioned overnight.
They include four counts of committing an unlawful act with intent to harm, four counts of criminal damage, and one count each of discharging a firearm to cause fear, possessing a controlled weapon, reckless driving and failing to stop.
Magistrate Stephen Sharratt ordered Popal undergo a mental health assessment before the charges were read to him in court via video link.
Police said Popal was arrested following information provided by the public after they issued a plea about Saturday's shooting spree.
No-one was struck by the gunfire, although detectives have not revealed how many people were in the cars when they were hit.
Police today searched Popal's home in Thornlie, where he is believed to have been living with his parents.
Neighbours were shocked when told by the ABC of the charges he was facing.
They described the accused as a nice man, and a "good guy", and his parents as being generous, kind and accommodating.
This vehicle was hit by seven rounds during the shooting spree in Beechboro. (Supplied: WA Police)
CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced
AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
You're listening to a podcast from Teacher
In Episode 4 of our series on School Improvement
Principal of West Beechboro Primary School in Perth
student learning outcomes have improved significantly
He has also introduced a Professional Recognition Program to support staff learning
JE: You've been Principal at West Beechboro now for nine years
so can you give listeners an overview of what the school was like when you first joined
Essentially I was placed in here by the district director at the time
just to reinstate policies and procedures that weren't in place
the behaviour tended to be more towards the disruptive side
Teachers were dealing with classroom behaviour management and in most cases
In 2006/2007 we had in both years around 53/54 suspensions – which is a fair whack
There was no real sequential whole school approach to teaching and learning; by that I mean that the programs weren't sequential from K-7
there was no common approach to teaching pedagogy in relation to delivery of curriculum
there was no real common language surrounding behaviour management
while there were some pockets of good teaching going on there were also some pockets of poor teaching in terms of what was expected
Teachers were pouring lots of energy into highly ineffective teaching methodologies and a number of the staff were working really hard
but they weren't going in the right direction so they were essentially banging their head against a brick wall
in terms of the process to turn that around then
I saw that the school was subject to an ERG
RB: It essentially involved me being notified around August of 2008 that we were going to be involved in a review of the school's [operational strategies]
There were essentially two sides to this review: one side that schools are identified for exemplary practice
and then another side schools were identified for areas of concern
Now we were identified not for exemplary practice but the school was picked up for areas of concern
which at the time was really interesting given the reason that I was put in the school in the first place
When we looked at the student population the school was actually operating within the expected achievement ranges and in some cases above the school expected mean
With the exception of [Year 7 in 2005 were below expected in writing] and in 2007 it was Year 5 below
what was frustrating about the process is that if they'd done a forensic analysis of our data
we were actually travelling considerably better than most schools
for me initially I saw it as a very negative process
it was probably a process that we needed to go through as a staff regardless
a lot of the recommendations were already based around things that the school itself had started to do
One of those for instance was to increase the coordination of student intervention and the support programs by class teachers
we looked at doing that but we've actually moved away from that recommendation because of what the research says in relation to intervention strategies and the fact that getting my teachers to run the intervention and manage classes wasn't an effective teaching strategy in terms of how they were dealing with student improvement
The other thing they put in there [was to ensure sustainability of instructional programs]
but at the end of the day once a driver is removed from the school in relation to a certain program
that program tends to fall down as teachers move back to their default models
JE: It's interesting you mentioned about the intervention strategies there and the research behind that
Can you just elaborate on that a little bit about why you felt that wasn't the right fit for you
RB: We had intervention programs here before
but what was very evident was that the kids that went into intervention in Year 1 were still in intervention in Year 7
So when you go through and analyse that you say well 'The kids are doing the same things
we're using the same approaches and intervention
why keep doing the same thing if it's not working?'
What we were [recommended] to do was put the kids back in the classroom and have
in the case of where there's an Education Assistant
the Education Assistant supported the student with their learning while the teacher was running the classroom instruction
but what you've essentially got is a 'minder' sitting next to a student and the teacher's going through the work and the minder is dictating or taking this child through the process that the teacher is working through
once that minder is removed the kid falls in a hole because he or she hasn't been given successful literacy or numeracy strategies to enable them to cope and operate in a classroom environment
teach them their literacy and numeracy skills so that they can cope and then pop them back in the classroom
That's what we've been doing now since 2010 and the kids' success rates are through the roof
has been the Professional Recognition Program
RB: That comes from the premise that essentially most teachers haven't had another teacher observe them
other than when they came out of college and they may have been going through their final prac
I'm from the era where the District Superintendent used to come and watch you for a day and go through your records
Well that doesn't exist here in Western Australia anymore
and it was a long process it didn't happen overnight
initially we got teachers into the process of having another staff member actually watch them
And it wasn't for the teacher to critique what they were seeing
it was actually for the teacher who was observing to reflect on their own practices and go 'Okay
Can I take things that she's doing and apply it to my own teaching ...?'
The teachers were very used to having my administration team in their rooms every day and through their rooms observing
my Associate Principal Gayle Higgins then took the teaching performance standards from AITSL
looked through all those and then [went] 'Okay
how can our teachers demonstrate these within the context of West Beechboro Primary School?'
which was really critical - we didn't want them jumping between two documents
so we've created a school document and within that there's key things that we will observe when we go into a classroom for a formal observation
The teachers present to us essentially a lesson plan and we watch
take corpus amounts of notes and then we sit in a discussion with them in regards to coaching and we go through what we've actually seen in relation to what they were saying and where they fit in with the standards
rather than looking at performance management we're looking at professional growth
and this is where I hope to be going' and it was our job to go 'Yep
it was actually to help them develop themselves as teachers
part of that also involved getting them involved with our other coalition partner schools - Dienalla Heights and Ballajura – and setting up things like a Level 3 process
which we've got in Western Australia to get your next level accreditation
We set up instructional rounds by going to other schools
based on the medical model where the residents would travel around with the doctor and go 'Here's Mr Jones and he's got gout
tell me what his symptoms are.' We did the same thing with our teachers going to schools
we'd go in and watch the lesson then go 'Right
what are three things that we know are identified as being a highly effective teacher - did we see them in this classroom?' and it was a very closed discussion within the people who were observing it
None of that feedback got given to the teacher
'What do we need to do to go on from this?'
we've got five staff now involved in completing their Masters in regard to school leadership and effective school teaching
We've got teachers who've gone on to deputy positions in various schools so
it comes back to their teaching practices and being the best teacher they can be in terms of what it is we're doing to recognise you as a teacher
thanks very much for joining us at Teacher
To listen to more Teacher magazine podcasts and to access our articles
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ABC NewsNew WA school funding model leaves school with $200,000 shortfall
Opposition saysShare New WA school funding model leaves school with $200,000 shortfall
Opposition saysABy Andrew O'Connor
West Beechboro Primary School sign. July 28, 2015. (ABC News: Andrew O'Connor)
Link copiedShareShare articleWestern Australia's new school funding model is inflexible and short-changing schools and students, the Opposition says.
At least one Perth principal has expressed disappointment at the new model after being denied funding for extra students.
West Beechboro Primary School principal Ray Boyd has written to school parents expressing his dismay after the school's bid to secure funding for an extra 30 students was rejected by the Department of Education.
"As you would all be aware, we were unsuccessful in getting any retrospective funding," Mr Boyd said in the school newsletter.
"To this end, my faith in the student-centred funding model was shattered."
Student-centred funding was introduced this year, providing funding per student and giving schools a so-called one-line budget.
Under the new model a number of schools complained their funding had been cut, but the State Government has maintained the system is simpler, fairer and delivers resources where they are most needed.
Opposition Leader Mark McGowan, however, said the situation at West Beechboro showed the system was not working.
He said the primary school estimated it had been left with a $200,000 funding shortfall and he blamed the Government.
"Because of their school funding model, they have penalised one of the best schools in Western Australia and it begs the question, what is happening in other primary schools across this state?" Mr McGowan said.
Mr McGowan said West Beechboro had proven popular because of its strong school leadership and education programs.
He said the school was continuing to attract high numbers of students from the local area, including some who formerly attended private schools.
Mr McGowan said the principal and the school were now suffering because of their success.
"Because he has been a careful financial manager, because he has run one of the best schools in the state, this school and these parents are being penalised," he said.
"That is hardly a fair, equitable or even reasonable way to run the education system in Western Australia."
Parents and Citizens Committee member Wendy Jackson said she was deeply concerned about the impact of the funding shortfall.
"We were sitting at a P&C meeting the other night and the principal was outlining everything, and it's knocking your head against a brick wall," she said.
"You've got children that need educating and you haven't got the funds there."
Labor Member for Bassendean Dave Kelly, a member of the school's board, said the problems at West Beechboro highlighted broader concerns about student-centred funding.
"It's been very difficult when you have the principal of the year saying that this system is unworkable. Really, the Premier has got nowhere to hide," Mr Kelly said.
"He can't just say it's a few grumbling people who are just unhappy. You've got the best principal in Western Australia saying this funding model doesn't work."
However, Education Minister Peter Collier has dismissed the claims of both the principal and the Opposition.
He said the student-centred funding model had already delivered an extra $178,000 to the school.
"This primary school, like the vast majority of primary schools throughout Western Australia, is getting a lot more money this year than they've ever received before," he said.
"Our schools in Western Australia remain the highest resourced schools in the nation by far."
Mr Collier said there was a process for schools with significant changes in student numbers to seek additional funding.
Those requests were evaluated by the department and assessed on merit.
Mr Collier said in the case of West Beechboro Primary School, the additional students could be accommodated within existing classes and without extra money.
"His school numbers are still well within the bounds of constraints of the enterprise agreement. Well within the bounds. There's no issue there," he said.
Mr Collier also rejected any suggestion the school did not have funds for the resources and programs required for the students.
"He hasn't been denied that. He has not been denied that. In fact, he's been given additional funding," he said.
The Minister said the overwhelming feedback from principals around the state about the new funding arrangements was positive.
Mr Boyd was named WA Principal of the Year in 2014.
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An unarmed man shot dead by police inside his parent’s Beechboro home in 2018 was killed after officers kicked down his bedroom door during a domestic violence call-out, a coronial inquest has heard.
Ly Ming Tong, 38, was shot three times after screaming and running out of the bedroom as he was confronted by two officers shouting “police”.
Ly Tong died in 2018 after he was shot dead by a police officer inside his parent’s Beechboro home.
Earlier, Mr Tong had argued with his parents about the TV remote and being refused access to drive his father’s car. The incidents involved Mr Tong pushing his parents and being verbally abusive.
His father left the house and attended Mr Tong’s sister’s address, intending to go to Midland Police Station and ask for help to get his son into a drug rehabilitation program.
However, upon attending the station, a customer service officer struggled to understand the Vietnamese-born duo, and said they told her Mr Tong had held a knife to his father’s throat, pushed his mother into the wall, and had not let his parents leave their house, with the father fleeing to get help.
Mr Tong’s sister showed the customer service officer a copy of a violence restraining order, which prohibited Mr Tong from being at the Beechboro address, although his parents had since allowed him to stay.
The information was relayed to Senior Constable Simon Briggs, who put out an urgent call for assistance.
Constable Thomas Dellar and Sergeant George Bogunovich were dispatched to the house and knocked on the door. Mr Tong’s mother answered, however the pair mistook her for his grandmother, and entered the house under the assumption Mr Tong’s mother was still in danger.
Sergeant Bogunovich knocked on Mr Tong’s bedroom door and identified himself as a police officer, yelling at him to open the door and show his hands.
Mr Tong yelled back, but the officers could not make out what he was saying. One then heard a metallic noise which he thought was a gun being assembled and kicked the bedroom door down.
Mr Tong screamed and ran towards the door. Sergeant Bogunovich called out “he’s coming” to Constable Dellar in the hallway, who – believing Mr Tong was armed with a knife – shot him three times in quick succession, hitting him in the chest and arm.
Officers still interviewing Mr Tong’s father and sister at the police station were alerted to the death, but decided not to tell the pair, who instead found out through a phone call from family members.
The three police station officers involved were sanctioned for failing to meet police standards in not telling the family of Mr Tong’s death, and not requesting an interpreter to help establish the facts when the pair first arrived at the station.
But a WA Police internal review found the force used by Constable Dellar was reasonable.
WA Coroner Michael Jenkin is also tasked with determining whether Constable Dellar’s use of force was reasonable, and whether the communication barriers between the Tongs and the police contributed to the outcome.
The inquest began on Tuesday and is expected to run for four days. All police officers involved will give evidence.
An unarmed man shot dead by police inside his parent\\u2019s Beechboro home in 2018 was killed after officers kicked down his bedroom door during a domestic violence call-out, a coronial inquest has heard.
Ly Ming Tong, 38, was shot three times after screaming and running out of the bedroom as he was confronted by two officers shouting \\u201Cpolice\\u201D.
Earlier, Mr Tong had argued with his parents about the TV remote and being refused access to drive his father\\u2019s car. The incidents involved Mr Tong pushing his parents and being verbally abusive.
His father left the house and attended Mr Tong\\u2019s sister\\u2019s address, intending to go to Midland Police Station and ask for help to get his son into a drug rehabilitation program.
However, upon attending the station, a customer service officer struggled to understand the Vietnamese-born duo, and said they told her Mr Tong had held a knife to his father\\u2019s throat, pushed his mother into the wall, and had not let his parents leave their house, with the father fleeing to get help.
Mr Tong\\u2019s sister showed the customer service officer a copy of a violence restraining order, which prohibited Mr Tong from being at the Beechboro address, although his parents had since allowed him to stay.
Constable Thomas Dellar and Sergeant George Bogunovich were dispatched to the house and knocked on the door. Mr Tong\\u2019s mother answered, however the pair mistook her for his grandmother, and entered the house under the assumption Mr Tong\\u2019s mother was still in danger.
Sergeant Bogunovich knocked on Mr Tong\\u2019s bedroom door and identified himself as a police officer, yelling at him to open the door and show his hands.
Mr Tong screamed and ran towards the door. Sergeant Bogunovich called out \\u201Che\\u2019s coming\\u201D to Constable Dellar in the hallway, who \\u2013 believing Mr Tong was armed with a knife \\u2013 shot him three times in quick succession, hitting him in the chest and arm.
Officers still interviewing Mr Tong\\u2019s father and sister at the police station were alerted to the death, but decided not to tell the pair, who instead found out through a phone call from family members.
The three police station officers involved were sanctioned for failing to meet police standards in not telling the family of Mr Tong\\u2019s death, and not requesting an interpreter to help establish the facts when the pair first arrived at the station.
WA Coroner Michael Jenkin is also tasked with determining whether Constable Dellar\\u2019s use of force was reasonable, and whether the communication barriers between the Tongs and the police contributed to the outcome.
A motorcyclist has been killed after his bike crashed in Kiara this morning.
Details of the crash are still sketchy, but it happened about 3am on Benara Road, near Altone Park.
The crumpled wreckage of the bike lies by the roadside.Credit: Channel Ten
Ambulance officers found him dead at the scene.
Police investigators are still at the scene, but do not believe any other vehicles were involved.
WA Police display 18kg of cannabis and other drugs seized from two Beechboro houses. (Supplied: WA Police)
Link copiedShareShare articlePolice have seized 18kg of cannabis and more than $10,000 in cash from three houses in Beechboro.
The haul also included more than 100g of methylamphetamine and 10g of MDMA.
A 44-year-old man has been charged in relation to all three seizures with possession and intent to sell the drugs.
Detective senior sergeant Tony Longhorn said the man was not a known drug dealer.
"It wasn't someone that had been on out radar and that's quite often the case, it's Mr Jones living next door I spose the people who are good at it remain anonymous," he said.
Link copiedShareShare articleA 21-year-old Caversham woman has been remanded after appearing in court charged with the murder of a 35-year-old Beechboro man.
Keeah Linda Maureen Sturke was not required to enter a plea for the alleged murder of Cong Trung Nguyen, who was found dead in his Beechboro home on Sunday.
She will face court again at the end of the month.
Ms Sturke's lawyer Richard Lawson said she and her family are extremely distressed by her arrest.
"Visibly distressed, she's never been in jail before, she's quite young, and it's quite a traumatic experience for her," he said.
A number of the woman’s supporters became emotional in court this morning, with one woman leaving after breaking down crying.
There were also heated scenes in the corridor outside the court room, with a fight breaking out after the 21-year-old was led away.
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A sinkhole has swallowed a hire car in Perth’s northern suburbs
Beechboro locals noticed the hole around 5 o’clock this morning near the corner of Barlee Way and Brockmill Avenue