At Dhupuma Barker and Barker College, the partnership continued to shape both attendance and learning. Despite significant sorry business in the community, Elders encouraged students to re-engage with cultural ceremonies, which helped strengthen their overall connection to school. Regular attendance grew across the term, with students looking ahead to their Term 3 Sydney excursion, where they will run the Ganbulupula stall at the Barker Spring Fair. Preparations are already underway, with bush medicines being collected, candles and yidaki made, and designs created for T-shirts and bags.

Sometimes the reason to keep coming to school was the opportunity to try something completely new. In the Katherine High School and Warakirri College partnership, a student gripped the armrests for her first flight. “I was really scared about going on the plane because I haven’t done it before, but it wasn’t too bad!” she said, and teachers watched that moment widen into confidence. It was a window opening: a student picturing herself beyond home, more ready to step toward the next opportunity.

At Roseville College and Tennant Creek Primary, the partnership continued with a series of professional learning visits. Roseville teachers travelled north to deliver workshops that supported student attendance and created space for shared professional growth. Staff described the experience as “transformative,” with one teacher reflecting that it was “one of the most rewarding and valuable experiences I have had in my teaching career. I would strongly recommend this opportunity to other staff.” Teachers spoke of the immediate impact on students, sharing stories of renewed engagement in class, as well as the way the exchange shaped their own practice.