Current as of 30.11.11
Shepherdson College is located in the community of
Galiwin ’ku on Elcho Island, 550km northeast of Darwin.
The population of Galiwin ’ku is approximately 2200 and
Djambarrpuyngu and Gupapuyngu are the most commonly spoken Yolgnu Matha languages.
Full-time teachers:
Full-time assistant teachers:
Enrolments:
Average student attendance:
School years:
Indigenous students:
38
15
576
62%
Preschool to Year 12
98%
Shepherdson College has a Strong Start, Bright Futures service delivery model that offers education for any student aged 0-100. From our Families as First Teachers 0-3 program, Pre-school, Primary School, Middle Years, Senior
Secondary through to the 3-9 Adult Education program,
Shepherdson College offers a range of learning experiences.
Our student population is 98% Indigenous. .
The school focuses on the priorities of attendance, student achievement in numeracy, literacy, bilingual education and pathways to employment as well as community engagement and participation.
Galiwin ’ku has been identified as a site under the National
Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery, as well as a Territory Growth Town under the NT Government's A
Working Future initiative.
Region
East Arnhem
Location
550 km north east of Darwin
Community population
2500 people
Climate
The area has two distinct seasons, wet and dry. Temperatures range between
24°C and 40°C and the humidity is high.
During the dry, the temperatures range between 21°C and 33°C with low humidity.
Getting In and Out
There is an all weather airstrip located in the community. Air North flies to Darwin
Monday to Saturday and the flight takes approximately two hours.
Essential Services and Facilities
Health Clinic Shire Offices
Shop Postal Agency
Centrelink Day Care Centre
TCU Credit Union Church
Recreation Facilities and Activities
Arts Centre
Fishing
Community events – Friday Markets

Teachers at Shepherdson
College are eligible for a number of remote incentives including:

remote incentive allowance

special schools allowance

remote retention payment

three fares out per year
(including an accommodation allowance)

family travel assistance

subsidised household contents insurance premiums

100% subsidised rental

special study leave after four years’ service

additional leave to attend to business
Furnished one, two or three bedroom homes are provided to teachers and their families to lease at no cost. There is limited housing available in the community and teachers may be required to live in share houses with other teachers.
The NT Government’s Territory Housing is tenancy manager and 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.
There are three shops in Galiwin’ku.
They sell a good selection of everyday items, and fresh produce is delivered weekly on the barge. Takeaway food is available from each shop at the entrance. However, many things are unavailable and teachers do some of their grocery shopping through a bush account at Coles or Woolworths, and have their supplies delivered weekly to Galiwin ’ku by barge through Perkins shipping.
Health Clinic
Ngalkanbuy Health Centre provides a comprehensive primary health service to all residents of Elcho Island, together with a range of public health and targeted program activities. In addition, a high quality 24 hour emergency clinic service is provided.
Police Station
There is a Police Station on Elcho Island. The Galiwin
’ku Night Patrol self-polices the community by vehicle in the evenings.
Shire
The Galiwin
’ku Shire office is located in the centre of the community.
The Shire Office provides banking, housing, Centrelink and postal services to local residents.
Service Station selection of fishing
Fuel can be accessed 24 hours a day through the use of a Fuel Card that can be purchased from the station during opening hours. The service station sells diesel, opal fuel, and a small collection of fishing tackle and take away products.
For more information on Shepherdson College and Galiwin ’ku
Community, visit www.bushtel.nt.gov.au
or www.teaching.nt.gov.au/remote .