[Oz-teachers] [S] Re: Indigenous List

[Paul Younger]

Kim,
There is often great support networks among the staff in the schools and
teachers often team up with the nurses and the police.  You also have to
contend with small town issues!    It often takes quite some time to be
accepted by the local community.  I have seen a number of single female
teachers in communities who have enjoyed the experience and stayed a number
of years.  Walking about at night is often not a good idea and that will
also depend upon which community you are in.  Here we have a lot of petrol
sniffers and they can be problematic.  Like anywhere you observe alot first
so that later you can make judgement calls.  What state are you in?
Your question is one of the many reasons why I believe a list will be
established so that the kids in these places can be given an opportunity of
accessing quality teachers.  It would allow people like yourself to ask
questions of the list.
There is plenty of work and the conditions are fairly good also, however the
houses can be a little dodgy!
all the best
Paul


On 20/05/06, Kim Wheaton <kimba68 at tpg.com.au> wrote:
>
>  Paul, do you recommend single women teachers (first year or other) go and
> do a rural placement like you have mentioned? Is it safe? I think it would
> be fabulous experience but safety comes first.
>
> thanks
>  kim
>
>  ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Paul Younger <paul.younger at gmail.com>
> *To:* Professional community for teachers<oz-teachers at cobia.ed.qut.edu.au>
>  *Sent:* Saturday, May 20, 2006 12:58 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Oz-teachers] [S] Re: Indigenous List
>
>
> My region definition would be:
>
> Cape York, Arnhem land, Kimberley and the central desert regions.  These
> schools are remote because of wet seasons or long distances from populated
> centres.  The roads are often impassable due to seasonal conditions and are
> rough and ready at the best of times.  You would require a permit to travel
> into the areas as they are aboriginal lands.  Staff will often fly to PD's
> to major centres like Darwin or Cairns or have someone fly into them.  They
> are old mission settlements run by community councils, that have CDEP
> (community development employment program) payments instead of work for the
> dole or centrelink payments.
>
> Schools that have a majority of aboriginal students attending.  For
> example at our school we have only one balanda student (white person) at the
> school.
>
> I guess I'm looking for a list that narrows the parameters of the issues
> to specifically assist with the unique situations teachers experience whilst
> teaching in these localities Ie ESL, absenteeism, alcohol & drug syndrome,
> very little parent involvement, health related issues.  Fiona, I agree
> aboriginal communities are diverse, however the number of communities that I
> have had involvement in all have the same issues I listed above.
>
> It appears to me that there is not such a list and it might be worthwhile
> establishing one.  This list has provided me with many learning
> opportunities and professional development when working in the mainstream.
> Queensland and the NT encourage new teachers to remote schools like the ones
> above, however they are often unprepared for what they find in the classroom
> when they get there!
>
> If there is no list then I would look to establish a list through EDNA
> that allows specific discussion for teachers working in these locations.
>
> I hope that I have clarified my request.
>
> Q.  is there onyone on the list working in the above locations??  :-)
>
> Regards
> Paul
>
>
>
> On 20/05/06, Fiona Gill <fionagill at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >  And how remote? Some indigenous communities are close  to regional
> > towns. How far away is remote? 100 km? 200 km? No all weather road access?
> >
> > Probably one reason there is no list at the moment is that indigenous
> > communities are so diverse, as are the people living in them.
> >
> > Fiona
> >
> >
> >  On 19/05/06, Royce Moncur <moncur at latrobe.net.au > wrote:
> > >
> > >  Some definition of remote community might be needed. Indegenous or
> > > not?
> > >
> > > Cheers Royce www.funshow.com.au
> > >
> > >  ----- Original Message -----
> > > *From:* Paul Younger <paul.younger at gmail.com>
> > > *To:* Professional community for teachers
> > > <oz-teachers at rite.ed.qut.edu.au>
> > >  *Sent:* Friday, May 19, 2006 5:40 PM
> > > *Subject:* [S] Re: [Oz-teachers] Indigenous List
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks Kerrie,
> > > I am still wondering if there is anyone else on the oz teachers list
> > > that work in remote communities?
> > > regards
> > > Paul
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > oz-teachers at rite.ed.qut.edu.au
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> >
> >
> >
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