Junior School
Dhupuma Barker Celebrating its First Birthday The official opening of Dhupuma Barker on 19 April 2021, to the sound of the Yidaki, singing and dancing by the Yolŋu djamarrkuli and community was a significant occasion bringing together the months of planning and preparation by Yothu Yindi Foundation, Gumatj Corporation and Barker College. The establishment of the School was aided by the expertise, dedication and support of local woman Ms Marina Wangurra as the Strategic Consultant, working in conjunction with the Director of Indigenous Education from Barker, Sophie Mynott. Twelve months on, the celebration for the first Birthday of the School was a greatly anticipated event in the community. On Tuesday 3 May the community, students, staff along with the Head of Barker College, Phillip Heath, Head of Junior School, Martin Lubrano and Deputy Head People & Culture, Alison Binet, gathered together at the School and shared in festivities including a Bungul (ceremonial dancing with the djarrmakuli, community and staff) along with speeches by Yothu Yindi Foundation Chair, Australian of the Year Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Phillip Heath and the teachers, Lori Cross and Tom Spencer. A wonderful feast including fish cooked on the open fire was shared by the entire school community and rounded out what was an incredible occasion. The success of the School is being realised in any number of areas; student attendance and confidence, skill in English language and curriculum learning, staff teaching practice, community engagement and twoway learning both in class and on-country. Community support is incredible and there is a shared responsibility as well as pride in their own school. The 28 Dhupuma Barker djarrmakuli are extremely proud of their school. They arrive from 7:00am in the morning, many of them can’t wait until the official start time of 8:15am. On the morning after the birthday celebration, as Tom Spencer, Lori Cross and I walked the 1km to school from the teacher residences at 7am, we were greeted by children who promised to be at school soon, as well as picking up two along the way who just wanted to join us on the walk and get to school. Another arrived at the same time, dropped off on an early run out of town 15km away to collect high schoolers and others for town school.
The djarrmakuli arrive and dress quickly in the uniform shirt and then immediately begin some learning activities, either individually or with one of the staff members. Once some reading is signed off, they have some breakfast and begin activity either in the classroom or head to the basketball court to kick a footy or shoot some hoops. And then instinctively, they call - “it is class time”. They want to be in the classroom. Official class starts with “Circle Time” and the School Prayer (spoken in English and Yolŋu-Matha). Community is alive in the classroom. Attendance is incredibly positive. There are ten djarrmakuli who are over 90% attendance with a further five over 80% and four more over 70%. These figures are outstanding, as high as any Indigenous school in the Territory, possibly the country. Dhupuma Barker staff are incredible. Tom Spencer and Lori Cross, alongside well-regarded co-teachers Caroline Dhamarrandji, Valerie Dhamarrandji, Janet Gurriwiwi, and Lizzie Roe along with Wellbeing Officer Berlius Hetharia, are paramount in the School’s success. Relationships are strong and they care for the djarrmakuli. The children feel safe and connected, they belong. Often the bus does two or three runs in the morning to pick up the djarrmakuli who are running late or need some encouragement. In addition, the support of the Faft educators, Leah Cheynoweth and Jerisha Burarrwanga, is wonderful, and the team work together effectively, regularly collaborating and sharing in on-country and classroom experiences. Reaching the first year anniversary of the School’s opening is extremely rewarding and a significant milestone. We are so proud of the teachers and the djarrmakuli for all that they are achieving. Learning experiences are rich, and the djarrmakuli are showing exciting levels of improvement. They are engaged in learning and are benefitting from immersion in culture, language and heritage as part of their day-to-day curriculum. Martin Lubrano Head of Junior School
8 • The Barker • Issue 135 • Winter 2022
