DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Current as of 30.11.11
Gapuwiyak
School and Community Profile
The Community
Gapuwiyak is located approximately 60 km south-east of
Elcho Island, 40 km inland from Arnhem Bay and about 220
km west-south-west of Nhulunbuy. The community is
situated adjacent to Lake Evella.
The main language is Yolgnu Matha, used by many residents
as a first language. There are 14 different clans present in
the population.
The School
Full-time teachers:
17
Full-time assistant teachers:
8
Enrolments:
290
Average student attendance:
55%
School years:
Preschool to senior years
Indigenous students:
99%
Gapuwiyak School provides education from preschool to
senior years. Families as First Teachers (FAFT) program is
also run on site and caters for mothers and 0-3 year olds.
Enrolment and attendance at Gapuwiyak School is variable,
with highest attendance during the wet season and lower
attendance during the dry season, when people are most
mobile.
The school focuses on the priorities of attendance, student
achievement in numeracy, literacy and pathways to
employment as well as community engagement and
participation.
Gapuwiyak 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
Arnhem
Location
Gapuwiyak is located 540 km east of
Darwin.
Community Population
Approximately 1100-1300 people
Other Names
Lake Evella
Climate
The area has two distinct seasons, wet
and dry. In the wet temperatures range
between 21 °C and 37 °C and the
humidity is high. During the dry, the
temperatures range between 16 °C and
30 °C with low humidity.
Getting In and Out
The community is accessible by 4WD by
road during the dry and wet season.
During the wet season, the road from
Katherine to Gapuwiyak is usually cut off,
due to flooding. During the dry the road is
accessible; however there are still river
crossings. There is an all weather airstrip
located in the community. The flight takes
35 minutes from Nhulunbuy.
Essential Services and Facilities
Police Station
Health Clinic
ALPA Shop
Service Station
East Arnhem Shire
Aged Care
Crèche
Sport&Rec Hall
Telstra-Next G
Recreation Facilities and Activities
Fishing
Camping
Bushwalking
Hunting
Swimming
Community Events
Remote Incentives and
Support
Teachers at Gapuwiyak 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 to Darwin 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.
Housing
Furnished 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 you may be required to
live in share houses with other teachers.
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, TV, coffee table, book case,
computer desk, oven and stove, fridge,
dining room table and chairs and washing
machine. A queen bed is in the master
bedroom and a single bed is in other
rooms. Each bedroom has wardrobes, a
chest of drawers and curtains. Austar is available through home
installation and Bigpond wireless broadband can be accessed.
Shopping and Supplies
The Gapuwiyak shop and service station sell a well stocked selection of
everyday items and hot take away foods. There are many things you
cannot buy in the community and teachers do their grocery shopping
through bush order at Coles or Woolworths and have their supplies
delivered weekly to Gapuwiyak School by a weekly barge freight
service from Darwin.
Facilities and Services
Health Clinic
The Gapuwiyak Health Clinic is staffed by Registered Nurses and
provides primary health care services to the residents. A doctor rotates
through the district for four week blocks and a dentist visits every
couple of months. It is a walk in service and is only available after hours
for emergencies. All health emergencies are airlifted to Nhulunbuy or
Darwin Public Hospital.
Police Station
The station is manned by three police officers. Police carry out general
duties, motor vehicle licensing and registration and enforce regional
liquor restrictions. Gapuwiyak is an Alcohol Restricted Zone under the
Liquor Act.
Council
The Gapuwiyak East Arnhem Shire Council is located near the shops.
The Council provides banking, housing, Centrelink and postal services
to local residents. The Council also runs a guest house and four self
contained cabins for visitors.
Service Station
The service station is located near the Council and the shops and also
sells some grocery items. The station sells diesel and Opal fuel.
For more information on Gapuwiyak school and community visit
www.bushtel.nt.gov.au or www.teaching.nt.gov.au/remote.