The School

History

The History of our school dates back to 1971 when Leslie Mingkilli wrote a letter to the South Australian Government on behalf of Indulkana Community asking for funding and help to establish a school.

He wrote to the Government in the Pitjantjatjara language, insisting that a school be started at Indulkana. Leslie was educated at Pukatja where he learnt to read and write English and Pitjantjatjara.

This dream finally came true when Leslie went to Adelaide and returned with David Aymery, the first Principal and three teachers. Our first Anangu teachers were: Leslie Minkilli, Jimmy Stewart, Bruce Woodforde, Sadie Singer and Rodney Hayful. The school began with tents and sheds made of timber and brush from the surrounding bush.

Some of our first Anangu educators and community members who helped build the school all those years ago are: Bessie Baker, Nellie Coulthard, Kunakeeya Janyaree, Emily Whiskey, Milika Stevens, Billy Everard, Peggy Pearson, David Pearson, Alec Baker, Peter Mungkari. Whiskey and Betty Muffler.

Learning Areas

At Indulkana Anangu School teachers and Anangu Educators provide differentiated teaching and learning programs across our B-12 site, which includes the Family Centre, Preschool and School.

Our Early Years plan with and refer to FaFT (Families as First Teachers) and the EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) our Primary and Middle Years use the ACARA and SACE for our senior secondary are our key curriculum documents. We have a strong focus on developing Literacy and Numeracy skills across the site using culturally responsive pedagogies that support our learners to reach their potential and the complex needs of our students

The majority of our students are EALD Learners. EALD Methodologies underpin all curriculum areas and are a strong teaching and learning focus.
Vocational education and programs are run at Umuwa Trade Training Centre and students can complete TaFE certificates and receive SACE credits as part of this program.

The school and community have a strong focus on supporting cultural learning activities to develop and share culture which is led by our Anangu Educators and community members through a range of activities such as inma, bush-trips, storytelling and The Arts.

Assessments and referrals are available through the Support Services Team. ‘One Child One Plan’ documents are written and adhered to for each of our students. An intensive reading support program is provided daily and verified students receive specialised support. Vocational education and programs are run at Umuwa Trade Training Centre and students can complete TaFE certificates and receive SACE credits as part of this program.

We run a Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program which provides students with one lesson a week in the kitchen. Our kitchen provides breakfast and a hot lunch each day to students and there are numerous opportunities for students to develop their hospitality and nutrition skills.

In addition to these learning activities the school also undertakes a number of cultural learning activities as a part of our curriculum. These activities include participation in Ernabella Dance – which we participate in as a whole school and which has a strong cultural theme as well as incorporating learning in the areas of Arts, Performance, Design, Teamwork and Social skills.

Each class participates in two Bush trips per term. Bush trips focus on developing and sharing culture and the learning is led by Anangu staff, families and community members. Children participate in a variety of activities including digging for Maku (Witchetty grubs) and Tjala (Honey ants), making wiltjas, learning about traditional medicine, listening to stories and dancing.