Baler Primary School recently hosted a powerful Language & Belonging Expo on May 27th, 2025, to support its growing cohort of EAL/D (English as an Additional Language or Dialect) students. Recognising the importance of both language development and cultural connection, the school created an event that brought learning, community, and inclusion together.

Local businesses and support organisations were invited to share early childhood and family services, helping to connect families with valuable community resources. The result? Many families signed up for extracurricular activities, giving students more opportunities to practise Standard Australian English in everyday contexts.

This initiative highlights Baler’s commitment to fostering not just academic growth, but also a deep sense of belonging. As one organiser shared: “It takes a village (or an AMAZING Pilbara town) to raise a child”—and Baler’s village showed up in full force.