Marayarr students, at Dhupuma Barker, are engaged in a dynamic, entrepreneurial initiative in preparation for the Barker College Spring Fair in September 2025. This ongoing project empowers students to design, produce and market a range of handcrafted items including yidaki, screen-printed t-shirts and bags and jewellery.

The program, which started last year, has proven to be an exceptional platform for building real-world skills in planning, budgeting and creative enterprise. It is deeply connected to on-country learning, with students sourcing natural materials such as pandanus, yidaki poles and seeds to incorporate into their work. Proceeds from the Spring Fair stall will support a Term 4 trip to Darwin, where students have been selected to attend the Michael Long AFL camp, a significant opportunity that recognises their commitment and achievement.

Meanwhile on Milingimbi Island, the Dhangi’yun Women’s Wellbeing Group, named by local Elder Elizabeth Ganygulpa and established by the Milingimbi School & Pymble Ladies’ College partnership, brings together Yolgŋu and Balanda women and children for weekly connection and care. The group offers walking, dance, yoga, song and language activities designed to build strong habits and improve wellbeing. Dhangi’yun means “to hold close, to protect, to hug” a name that captures the group’s spirit of nurturing health, confidence and cultural pride among women and children across the island. As Ganygulpa says, “strong mothers mean strong babies and strong culture”. To help build language and cultural understanding ahead of upcoming visits, a digital Yolgŋu language resource, created by Milingimbi assistant teachers, has been shared with students from Pymble Ladies’ College.

Music lessons and resources, a new keyboard and xylophones, have been highly beneficial to Ti Tree School students as they offer a culturally responsive and engaging way to support learning, expression and connection. Meriden School and Ti Tree staff worked side by side to create songs and lessons that allowed students to connect with their heritage while developing important music and literacy skills. Incorporating music into lessons, helps improve focus, collaboration and classroom participation, particularly for students who may face challenges in conventional learning settings.