Laynhapuy Homelands School, which relies on MAF flights to bring students to class, is celebrating the success of teenagers completing Year 12 with valuable qualifications.
The Laynhapuy Homelands School’s (LHS) Makarraṯa senior programme ended 2024 on a high note with the graduation of seven high school students and a successful trial of extending the programme to include Year 9 students.
“We have seven Year 12 students, all leaving school,” said Emma Toll, Secondary Programs Senior Teacher at Makarraṯa, in the Garrthalala homeland.
“Six of those Year 12s will be finishing with their NTCET (Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training), and all seven of them will be leaving with their Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management, meaning that they'd be able to get jobs as rangers and stay in their homelands.”
Emma attributes the success of Makarraṯa to the unique model of weekly boarding.
“I think the success of the program is because the students are boarding on country, and they get to return to their homelands on a Friday afternoon,” Emma said. “And over the weekend, they're not just relaxing like normal teenagers do. These guys are going back to their homelands to fulfill cultural obligations and often participate in ceremony and help out family with hunting.”
Learn really hard, work really hard, and that's what you do, because you're looking forward to your future.
Charles Yunupingu was among the 2024 cohort of Yolŋu students benefitting from the academic and practical subjects offered in Makarraṯa.
He flew to Garrthalala weekly from the homeland of Waṉḏawuy on MAF flights that help students access education while maintaining strong connections to family.
“I’ve enjoyed Makarraṯa,” said Charles. “My favourite subjects are English, Maths and Speaking. Maths is good for measuring things in building.”
In 2024, Charles and Megan – both from the Makarraṯa programme – were the two indigenous students selected to the Northern Territory Youth Voice Peak Group, and their role included trips to Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory, to speak to decision-makers in government and the education department.
“Peak Group is a group of students that are chosen to represent their school and the youth across the Northern Territory,” said Emma.
“Charles and Megan were the representatives that were chosen from the Laynhapuy Homelands School, so not only did they represent homeland schools, but they represented EAL/D (English as an additional language/dialect) students and indigenous student across the Northern Territory.”
Charles now plans to strike out far beyond the homelands after graduation, to Goulburn in New South Wales, a straight-line distance of some 2500 kilometres from Arnhem Land.
“When I graduate, I’m going to New South Wales to see my mother's sister,” said Charles. “I'm going to do a big property work out there with cattle. It's a really good opportunity to see another place.
“It's like building up my goals and looking forward to future, and my big opportunity is working on the cattle station, in mustering and stuff. It's going towards the future.”
Charles has advice for students coming after him.
“Learn really hard, work really hard, and that's what you do, because you're looking forward to your future. So you have to be strong.”
Ben Brown, Programme Director of MAF in Arnhem Land, highlights the significance of MAF’s collaboration with the Laynhapuy Homelands School.
“MAF’s mission in Arnhem Land is to end physical, social, and spiritual isolation,” Ben said. “Access to education is critical for the healthy development of young lives, and MAF supports Laynhapuy Homeland School in their work to ensure that all children in their region receive a quality education.
“Despite the extreme remoteness of many communities in East Arnhem, MAF aircraft ensure that isolation is no longer a barrier for children getting to school.”
Emma said the school’s connection with MAF is more than just a working relationship to provide transport.
“We're so thankful for MAF. You know, without them, we couldn't get most of our students here,” she said. “And the pilots all know you by name.
“Right down to when I walk into the MAF office, I just walk into where everyone's working and say hello to the pilots, just like I'm part of the staff. So, they're just like one big family. They get to know everyone, and they care.”