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Feature
A record number of students have graduated from a school in Arnhem Land
Against incredible odds, 11 students from Gunbalanya High School have all graduated with a High School Certificate.
Published 12 January 2024 12:39pm
Updated 12 January 2024 3:22pm
By Laetitia Lemke
Source: NITV
Image: Mahalia Gameraidj is one of 11 students to graduate year 12 with a Northern Territory Certificate of Education at Gunbalanya School and she already has a job at the local creche (NITV / Laetitia Lemke)
When it comes to remote education, this school is just about as isolated as it gets. The road to Gunbalanya crosses a crocodile laden river and when it rises in wet season it cuts off road access.
The small community on the edge of Kakadu National Park is breathtaking. Lily-covered billabongs are framed by sweeping escarpments.
High school graduate Rosita Badari says the cultural connection to these beautiful surrounds are as important as western education at the Gunbalanya School.
Rosita's dream job is to become a midwife.
"They learn [western education] in class and learn our way in outdoor education."
Family support key to high success rate
Rosita has spent her life learning in this two-way education system and the journey isn't over.
"My dream job is to do work in midwifery, and now that I am finished school I am planning to do what I can to get my dream job," Rosita says.
Rosita is one of 11 students to be danced in to their graduation with clap sticks and a didgeridoo.
Children and families dance in the graduates with clapsticks and didgeridoo Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke
Even the school term is seasonal, starting three weeks earlier than other Territory schools to make the most of the captive audience that the wet season isolation creates.
A mother and child at the Northern Territory's Families at First Teachers Early Learning Program that brings parents into the learning journey.
She says the key to success is showing up.
"You need to come every day to get a Northern Territory Certificate of Education and these children did."
Tyreece Wauchope accepts his year 12 certificate at a ceremony at Gunbalanya School Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke
That's a huge success, given the whole of school attendance rates have fluctuated between 51 and 28 per cent in recent years.
The same is true for many remote and very remote schools across the Territory where attendance rates are low.
Three Year 12 graduates (L-R) Rosita Badari, Keisha Nagurrgurrba and Elaine Koimala-Brown wait to accept their awards at a ceremony in Gunbalanya. Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke
The Chief Minister says it is strong leadership in families and communities that can turn that around along with improved government policy.
Lots of pride on graduation day.
"We've seen improvements in the last 12 months but that needs to continue."
Gunbalanya High School is hoping a new government funding model for schools will help their strong leadership team drive further improvements.
In the Northern Territory, school funding is currently linked to attendance rates under what is known as the "Effective Enrolment Model."
After a damning review, the government will now move to a new model of school funding that's calculated on enrolment.
The Department of Education's Chief Executive Officer, Karen Weston, says an extra supplement for secondary schools has already been rolled out.
"It will cause budget considerations and the Minister is talking about rolling it out from 2025," Karen Weston says.
"We're in negotiations with the Commonwealth about a new funding agreement."
Karen Weston says the change in funding model will give schools more certainty, allow them to plan more effectively, and create more continuity, because schools will know their budgets and be able to recruit to it.
Children learn to love literacy with parents at the Families as First Teachers early learning centre in Gunbalanya Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke
"To graduate, I know how hard that task was, but particularly when a lot of your study has been through distance learning, I can just imagine how difficult that has been," Chief Minister Eva Lawler told the graduates.
"To all of you, for your resilience for your hard work - you can be very proud of yourselves."
Elaine Koimala-Brown accepts her year 12 certificate at a presentation at Gunbalanya School Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke
"I'm feeling proud of myself and also proud of my mother who always has been encouraging me to come to school every day," Mahalia says.
Mahalia has already started a new job working at the creche and wants to inspire other children in her community to go through the FAFT program and finish school.
A little girl sits with her back turned, working on a painting at the Families As First Teachers (FAFT) early learning centre Source: NITV / Laetitia Lemke
She's thrilled to be inspiring a whole new generation of role models in Arnhem Land.
