Our Gunbalanya graduates are all class

Gunbalanya Area School’s eight graduates: Barbarina Nawirridj, Victoria Lansen, Lorina Maralngurra, Alexandria Namarnyilk, Sharlana Diridi, Koroniah Nawirridj, Tinnesha Nagorra and Zoe Nganjmirra.

AS a result of its partnership between the school, families, and students, Gunbalanya Area School has seen eight students graduate this year.

The figure is up from six last year, and two in 2012, and is the highest number of graduates for any remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory.

The young achievers have been the focus of much media attention, with 17-year-old Victoria Lansen featured in the NT News and on ABC.

Victoria attended her red-carpet Year 12 graduation ceremony, which featured traditional dancers, surrounded by family and carrying her baby son, Victor.

She said it was the thought of a better future for her son that motivated her to finish her schoolwork.

The career goals of the graduates vary from one to another.

One student has done work experience at the local shop, while others want to use their certificate to become pre-school teachers.

Another graduate, Zoe Nganjmirra, has begun work at the West Arnhem Regional Council office in Gunbalanya as a trainee Administration Officer.

Gunbalanya school has two principals: Sue Trimble, who is non-Indigenous, and Esther Djayhgurrnga, who is from the Aboriginal community. And its “two-way” approach appears to be working.

Senior teacher Hira Morgan said the school has “awesome programs running”.

“We run specialised subjects for our students and they’re all written for this community,” Ms Morgan said.