Showers & Keeping Clean

Teachers and AEWs have continued to support the showers and face washing program each morning. The success of this program and our efforts to keep dogs out of the school and clean up rubbish is paying off.

Dr Van Lansing visited our school in September to again screen our children for signs of trachoma.

He praised the students on how clean they looked and the school for its clean environment. He said that the efforts of the clinic and the school together had made a big difference to children‘s health.

The percentage of students with trachoma has reduced from a high of around 60% about two years ago to 20% today.

This is good news. Congratulations to all our staff and children on their efforts to be healthy.

Anangu Ways

In week 7 the school prepared to go to the Yeperenye Festival in Alice Springs.

The next day all the ladies and men worked with the students to practise for the inma at Alice Springs. It was a very good day.

In Week 8, Harry Nelson came back into the school yard to show the boys how to make miru (woomera).

Lots of children watched him and practised some of the skills he was showing. The school would like to thank the community members and especially Harry for their lessons.

Yeperenye Festival

On Friday 9th September, three troop carriers and two buses carried over 70 students, staff and community members to Alice Springs for the Yeperenye Festival.

Over two days of celebration of indigenous culture made a big impact on all of us. Everyone agreed it was a great time. Another full day of driving on the Monday brought us all safely home.

Thank you to the staff who organised and worked hard over the week end and the community members from Kalka and Pipalyatjara who supported us.

Welcome

We welcome a new staff member this term. Alf (Simon Hanson) is our new primary class teacher. He is working with support from AEWs, Julie Connelly and Maureen Baker.

Welcome back to Pam Shiers who was working with AnTEP students last term but is now our new secondary class teacher.

Child Parent Centre Re-Opens

Our CPC has re-started with Debbie Watson taking control of the program. She has been supported by the SACE students, Tjutjana and Marlene with help from Kate.

Lots of work was done by Debbie, Wilyati and others in cleaning up the room and setting up. The school has put in a carpet and lots of toys. A lockable steel cupboard was put in to keep the gear and a radio cassette was bought. Thank you to the community for their support and allowing us to use the room at the Women‘s Centre.

It is good to see lots of kids with family members attending each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.

Library Clean-up

Before Jack left he did a lot of work on the library so that it has more space and it is easier to use the books. Kate is our new Librarian and is continuing the work.