In Broome, St Mary’s College, Chisholm Catholic College and Sacred Heart Primary School exchanged ideas through shared  STEAM workshops, and at Wadja Wadja High School, visiting staff from Carinity Education Rockhampton joined open days and classroom activities to observe how the school teaches and connects  with families. Green Point Christian School supported Brewarrina Christian School with sports coordination and zone events, and the teaching staff travelled together to explore an Outdoor Adventure Centre for joint use.

At Murray Downs School, a Trinity Grammar School teacher spent six weeks covering a classroom while a local teacher completed her university practicum, taking responsibility for the Transition to Year 3 class and strengthening links between the two schools. Across all partnerships, teachers learned by watching one another work, trying new approaches and sharing what they know.

Earlier this month, Pymble Ladies College’s Learn to Swim staff and a group of qualified Year 11 students travelled to Darwin to teach swimming lessons to Milingimbi School students as part of the Swimming and Water Safety in Schools Program, supported by the School of Sport Education NT. In every session, adults and young people were side by side as teachers and learners.

Partnership Program Coordinator, Belle Moylan, says the work builds on the strengths of Yolŋu culture and community.

“We’ve created meaningful opportunities and real choices for young people, while giving city students some insight into remote Australia. We’ve seen substantial personal growth in both Milingimbi students and Yolŋu staff, particularly in confidence and self-belief,” she said. – Belle Moylan, Partnership Coordinator, Pymble.

For Milingimbi Assistant Teacher Kyliea, the partnership is all about shared learning.

“I am so proud of the partnership with our kids and the Pymble girls. It makes everything so fun. We are learning so much. The kids were so excited about swimming, and they would love to do it again,” – Kyliea Blakiki Balaraninybuy, Assistant Teacher, Milingimbi.