The Nawarddeken Academy’s successful registration for new Kunmayali School

Bi-cultural education

The Nawarddeken Academy’s successful registration for new Kunmayali School

March 26th, 2025

The Nawarddeken Academy’s successful registration for new Kunmayali School

In August of last year, the Nawarddeken Academy submitted an application to the Northern Territory Government for the registration of a secondary school. Prior to this, 21 students in the Mamardawerre and Manmoyi communities had no option to undertake year 11 and 12 subjects, meaning they were unable to sit exams to graduate high school or receive an NT Certificate of Education and Training (NTCET).

The Nawarddeken Academy was notified in January this year, that they were successful in their registration of the Kunmayali (Knowledge) school that will now be funded by the Federal government in perpetuity. The successful outcome of this application came just in time for the beginning of Term 1, meaning senior students are now able to receive formalised secondary education and graduate on Country. This means that for all school aged students in the Warddeken IPA they can attend the Nawarddeken Academy from early childhood, all the way through to year 12.

The next six months will involve the development and delivery of a new bi-cultural curriculum for the Kunmayali School with the assistance of Traditional Owners and Elders. So far, NAL has identified relevant curriculums for students to enroll in, which include:

Conservation and ecosystem management

School-based education support

Early childhood education and care

Hospitality

Workplace skills

It’s extremely important that schools in the NT receive funding for education for all school aged children to learn on Country. Not only does this support and resource the local community by providing more skilled populations, it also encourages community empowerment through improved socio-economic development and enhances student retention so students are better prepared for future opportunities.

This is a wonderful outcome when you consider that just over a decade ago, full time education was unavailable anywhere in the Warddeken IPA.

Kuwarddewardde Malkno
(Stone Country Seasonal Calendar)

The Kuwarddewardde Malkno is a foundational teaching resource for the Nawarddeken Academy, through which the Australian and Indigenous Language and Culture curriculums are contextualised to the seasons and culture of the Nawarddeken people.

‘Both ways’ education
revolution expands

The Nawarddeken Academy and three outstation communities celebrated their achievement of full time independent education for their children

Momentous celebrations for
the Nawarddeken Academy

Momentous celebrations for the Nawarddeken Academy

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