DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Current as of 30.11.11
Yirrkala Homelands
School and Community Profile
The Community
Yirrkala Homelands School has a Resource Centre in
Yirrkala, 700 km east of Darwin and 20 km from Nhulunbuy.
Nhulunbuy is a large mining town that has most of the
amenities that people require. There are a number of
interesting recreational areas in the region that require a
permit for entry.
The main language is Yolngu Matha, used by many residents
as a first language. The traditional owners of the land where
the community is located are the Rirritjingu and the Gumatj
clans. Yirrkala Homelands School services communities in
the Laynhapuy Region. There are 16 clans that comprise the
Yolngu cultural block of the Laynhapuy region in which
Yirrkala is located.
The School
Full-time teachers:
15
Full-time assistant teachers:
16
Enrolments:
189
Average student attendance:
71.1%
School years:
Preschool to senior years
Indigenous students:
100%
Yirrkala Homelands School provides education from
preschool to senior years. The school focuses on the
priorities of attendance, student achievement in numeracy,
literacy, pathways to employment and participation and
professional learning for all staff.
Teachers visit the Homelands 3-4 days per week to support
the Indigenous Teachers in the communities to deliver
teaching and learning programs. The other days are spent in
Yirrkala where teachers engage in professional learning and
collaborative planning.
Region
Arnhem
Location
700 km east of Darwin by road
Community Population
Approximately 1500 people
Climate
The area has two distinct seasons, wet
and dry. During the wet season,
temperatures range between 30 °C and
40 °C and the humidity is high. During the
dry, the temperatures range between
21 °C and 30 °C with low humidity.
Getting In and Out
The community is accessible by road
during the dry and the road from Darwin
can be cut off during the wet season. The
road from Nhulunbuy to Yirrkala is open
all year. There is an all-weather airstrip
located approximately 10 km from the
school. The flight takes 80 minutes from
Darwin.
Essential Services and Facilities
Health clinic
Fuel Supply
East Arnhem Shire Depot
Recreation Facilities in Yirrkala
Arts and Craft Centre Swimming Beach
Basketball Court
Football Ground
Recreation Facilities in Nhulunbuy
Swimming pool
Fishing
BBQs
Sport and social clubs
One radio and four television stations
Housing
Remote Incentives and
Support
Teachers at Yirrkala Homelands
School may be eligible for a
number of remote incentives
including:

remote incentives salary
allowance

remote retention
payment every
12 months continuous
service

100% subsidised rental
of Government
Employee Housing

subsidised household
contents insurance

fares out of isolated
locations and an
accommodation
allowance

accrual of points towards
special study leave every
12 months continuous
service

additional leave to attend
to business.
For more information refer to the
Conditions of Employment for
Teachers and Educators in NT
Government Schools
Furnished one, two or three bedroom
homes are provided to teachers and their
families to lease at no cost. Staff will be
accommodated in Yirrkala if possible,
however there is limited housing
available in the community and you
may be required to live in share houses with
other teachers, or be accommodated in Nhulunbuy.
The NT Government’s Territory Housing is the tenancy manager who
coordinates repairs and maintenance. The Department of Education
and Training provides funding to the school to furnish the houses.
Most houses are equipped with a lounge suite, coffee table, book case,
computer desk, oven and stove, microwave, fridge, dining room table
and chairs, a queen bed in the master bedroom and a single bed in the
other rooms, with a chest of drawers and curtains.
When teachers visit the Homeland communities they generally sleep in
swags in the classroom or on the veranda of the school. New
infrastructure is being developed at four sites. Visiting Officers Quarters
are being constructed and contain individual bedrooms and shared
living areas, including a kitchen and
bathroom.
Shopping and Supplies
The Yirrkala shop (IGA) sells a selection
of everyday items and hot takeaway
food stocks. There are many things you
cannot buy in the community and most
teachers do their grocery shopping in
Nhulunbuy.
Facilities and Services
Health Clinic
The Yirrkala Health Clinic is located near the church and provides
primary health care services to the residents. All health emergencies
are handled by the Gove District Hospital in Nhulunbuy which has a
complete range of services.
Police
Police are stationed in Nhulunbuy which is twenty kilometres from
Yirrkala. The police station is manned 24 hours a day.
Shire Office
The East Arnhem Shire Office is located near the Laynhapuy
Homelands Association. The Council provides housing, essential
services, Centrelink and youth services to the local residents.
Service Station
A small amount of fuel is available from Bunuwal Industrial. The main
service station is located in Nhulunbuy, opposite the fire station.
For More Information
For more information on Yirrkala Homelands school and community
visit : www.bushtel.nt.gov.au or www.teaching.nt.gov.au/remote.