Yolŋu Team Teacher Exchange Program With Yirrkala School

Title: Yolŋu Team Teacher Exchange Program With Yirrkala School

Summary: This project aims to strengthen and advance partnerships between the University of Melbourne, Yirrkala School, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation, and North Melbourne and Carlton Primary Schools.

The overarching aim of this project is to support existing strategies of Yolŋu teacher education at the Yirrkala school in partnership with University of Melbourne academics. As it is a bilingual school, Yolŋu team teachers work with the classroom teacher teaching in Yolŋu Matha. Additionally, Team Teachers support emotional wellbeing strategies, behavioral concerns, and classroom engagement.

The school is based on ‘both ways’ learning that recognises the relevance of both Western and Yolŋu ontologies and focuses on Yolŋu pedagogy. The project aims to extend on the innovating practices in the school and further develop social and emotional wellbeing learning that focuses on Yolŋu pedagogy.

Professional development is often targeted at non-Indigenous teachers who may only stay in the community for a short period of time. Yolŋu team teachers, on the other hand, are a part of the school community and remain for many years. This project aims to build the local capacity of the community and have longer-term outcomes.