Eager for an experience far from the familiarity of the urban classroom, Macquarie University Bachelor of Education student Rex Meredith chose a remote Northern Territory community of 1000 people to complete his final-year teaching placement. Rex’s stint at the school in Yuendumu, three-and-a-half hours from Alice Springs, was so impactful that he decided to stay on for another year.
Through Macquarie University’s Professional Experience Program, teacher education students integrate their study of educational theory with real teaching experiences throughout their study.
Rex said his initial three-week Professional Experience unit gave him an understanding of approaches to engaging students and navigating cross-cultural differences in a remote school where 95 per cent of the students speak Warlpiri as their first language.
Rex in the classroom in Yuendumu
“I have been able to understand some of the differences between Yapa (Indigenous people) and Kardiya (non-Indigenous) perspectives and how this impacts the students in the classroom environment,” said Rex.
“People in the community are eager to maintain their culture and believe it is the school’s responsibility to be part of that.”
Country as classroom and teacher
Rex’s first week at the school took him out on Country with the students and their families, an opportunity for the students to learn from Elders and Traditional Owners about sacred sites and the Dreaming, and Walpiri methods of hunting and burning country.
“The on-Country week was a time to step back as educators, and was to be run by the families,” said Rex. “We loaded a beaten-up bus with mattresses, blankets, pillows, tents, dogs and children. The families were eager to get on the bus and head out on Country.
The On-Country week gave students the opportunity to learn from Elders and Traditional Owners
"During the week we visited some of the sacred sites in the area to share dreaming stories. The children learned to make Mulga spears and the significance of the spears to the Warlpiri people. On the final day the families participated in hunting, back burning and traditional dance.
“The Traditional Owners spoke about the importance of Kardiya and Yapa sharing knowledge of the land and keeping the dreaming stories going together.”
Rex said he was looking forward to using the knowledge gained by spending time on Country with the community.
“It was a real dive bomb into the deep end of the community, by going out on Country with all of the families. I have so many questions, probably more than I came in with even though I have learned so much from this experience.”
Staying on in Yuendumu
The choice to continue working as a classroom assistant in Yuendumu after his placement finished gave Rex the chance to grow his network in the community.
“In order to experience the fun and caring side of a community I knew that it would take me longer than a three-week professional experience block,” said Rex. “I have found over time that most people here in the community are keen to give back what you put in, and as a result I have been able to experience and learn about things that would not otherwise be possible.”
Rex said students with a positive and flexible mindset who are willing to embrace the challenges of a remote placement will realise the opportunities for personal and professional development.
“There are many challenges of living and teaching remotely for people who have not experienced remote life before, which will differ from person to person and community to community,” said Rex.
“However, with certainty I would say that people who genuinely want to be part of a community in a remote setting with the right mindset will succeed regardless of the challenges they are faced with.”
Education is seen as an important part of keeping culture alive in Yuendumu