The Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation is successfully delivering culturally responsive, community-led education support to First Nations students.
Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation’s approach
The Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation collaborate with a range of key community stakeholders to coordinate activities that provide support to First Nations students and families assisting re-engagement and engagement with schooling. These organisations include:
- Kalkaringi School
- Child and Family Centre
- Katherine West Health Board
- Wanta Aboriginal Corporation
- Victoria Daly Regional Council.
First Nation staff make up 80 per cent of the team which provides students with connections to strong cultural, language, and culturally appropriate behavioural support.
Family and Community engagement
The Ngaliwany Purrp’ku Child and Family Centre Kalkaringi (CFC) assist the students in the EEAI program and schooling team to support all local families, including those experiencing hardship and vulnerability, to strengthen culture, community, leadership, and capacity to support families to raise children. The EEAI team work together to deliver activities that increase school attendance and engagement. The CFC and EEAI team complement and heavily support each other’s activities that work directly with Gurindji children and families.
The CFC has a core focus on families with children aged 0-9 years but takes a holistic approach that engages all age groups towards a strong community. The CFC team of Family Engagement Officers collaborate to build healthy partnerships and work together to meet school attendance and attainment targets.
Collaborative efforts between the Ngaliwany Purrp’ku Child and Family Centre and the EEAI team are critical, because they combine cultural, family-focused support with school engagement strategies. This ensures holistic, community-driven solutions that strengthen attendance, learning, and family wellbeing.
Families are involved every step of the way, from discussions, to helping design and being invited to share and participate in activities like BBQs and cultural trips, fostering intergenerational learning and responsibility.
Growing strong together through culture, family and community. Karru, families and Elders coming together to learn, connect and strengthen school engagement through shared cultural experiences.
Combining culture with school engagement
Activities such as in-class support, cultural day trips, and respectful relationships education help boost engagement. Cultural days are co-designed primarily as a soft entry point for families to engage with school, EEAI and Wanta staff as an engagement strategy for isolated and sometimes service wary families. Some of the activities include:
- Preparation for Freedom Day celebrations
- Bush medicine collection, crafting bush products, and storytelling on Country
- The Community Room which is situated within the school with access to the internet and tea/coffee facilities, remains a welcoming space for parents and supports positive interactions with school staff
- Handback Day – 50th Anniversary for the Freedom Day Handback – the EEAI Team, Cultural Advisors and Traditional Owners work closely with the Kalkaringi students to prepare and practice their traditional dance. These cultural dance practices take place every Wednesday six weeks prior to the Festival with the EEAI Team transporting students, participating in traditional painting of the children and teaching cultural dance. They also explain the meaning and history of each dance and its importance to the Gurindji people and their story.
Every step honours a story. Karru proudly performing the Wajarra Dance at the Freedom Day Festival after weeks of learning from Elders, Traditional Owners and Cultural Advisors.
Conclusion
The Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation’s EEAI program in Kalkaringi has significantly improved student engagement by delivering culturally responsive, community-led education support. Activities such as cultural day trips and storytelling on Country strengthen identity and connection, while collaboration with local stakeholders helps remove barriers to attendance and participation.
The welcoming Community Room encourages family involvement, and partnerships with the Child and Family Centre ensuring holistic support for children and families. These efforts have boosted school attendance, strengthened cultural continuity, and created a united approach to improving educational outcomes in Kalkaringi.
Strong Karru. Strong Culture. Strong Community. Children preparing for the Wajarra Dance presentation, learning from Elders and keeping Gurindji culture strong.