School’s in on the Tiwi Islands
Children growing up on the Tiwi Islands don’t have to travel to Darwin on the mainland to finish their schooling.
Tiwi College on Melville Island which was officially opened by the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce will help cater for the needs of the students hoping to further their education.
ICV has helped to provide human resources and other skills needed to ensure the college will be able to offer the necessary education for the students.
“ICV has played a vital role, especially in recent months, filling gaps with staffing,” said Tiwi Education Board Chief Executive, Mark Doecke.
“They are enthusiastic and mature people who have offered their expertise and advice that would have otherwise cost us thousands of dollars,” Mr Doecke said.
To get to this point it has taken over 30 years of lobbying, campaigning and plain hard work by the Tiwi Land Council and Tiwi Education Board which was determined those future generations would have access to quality education.
This was pushed along in the final stages by people such as ICV couple Judy and Rod Greive.
They have been part of a group of 16 volunteers from ICV that have worked in a variety of areas.
Not only did Judy and Rod spend time tutoring students in literacy and numeracy but also found themselves sharpening pencils, photocopying and washing cars.
“We had a fantastic time with the students, getting to know them and encouraging them with their work,” said Rod. “We tried to help wherever there was a need as we could easily see that those who work full time give so much of themselves to the students.”
The college offers ’24 hour education’ combining classroom learning with sport, skills such as cooking, personal hygiene, moral and spiritual development and outdoor education. Students stay on site during the school week in family group homes staffed by house parents.
ICV Darwin-based Project Officer, Melinda Fajerman said, “The partnership we have with Tiwi College is a strong one and long term. ICV is now planning a project to develop employment pathways for Tiwi people.”
