DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Current as of 30.11.11
Warruwi
School and Community Profile
The Community
Warruwi is located 320km north east of Darwin on the border
of Kakadu National Park. Warruwi community is on South
Goulburn Island which is a small Island only 4 km from the
mainland.
The main language Maung, is used by many residents as a
first language. The traditional owners of the land where the
community is located are the Marjagudu clan.
Warruwi Community has a rich culture, with many
Indigenous leaders supporting the school and working hard
within the community.
Region
Arnhem
Location
320 km north east of Darwin
Community population
400 people
Other names
Mardbalk, Goulburn Island
The School
Full-time teachers:
7
Full-time assistant teachers:
7
Enrolments:
150
Average student attendance:
73%
School years:
Preschool to Yr 10
Indigenous students:
100%
Warruwi School provides education from preschool to senior
years. The school offers breakfast and lunch programs to
students on school days. Warruwi School also runs an Active
Australia Program; this involves organised sport three times
per week after school. This program also provides healthy
food at the completion of the sport. Warruwi School is
implementing take home readers.
The school focuses on the priorities of attendance, student
achievement in literacy, numeracy, and pathways to
employment, as well as community engagement and
participation.
Enrolment and attendance at Warruwi School is variable,
with highest attendance during the wet season and lower
during the dry season when
people are most mobile.
Climate
The Island has typical territory weather
with a dry and a wet, but it is a little cooler
given its exposure to the ocean breeze.
Getting In and Out
There is an all weather airstrip located in
the community. The flight takes 60
minutes from Darwin.
Essential services and facilities
Police Station
Health Clinic
Shop
Service station
Council
Recreation Facilities and Activities
Arts Centre
Warruwi radio station 106.1FM
Fishing
BBQs
Community events
Remote Incentives and
Support
Teachers at Warruwi School are
eligible for a number of remote
incentives including:
 remote incentives
allowance
 remote retention
payment
 three fares out per year
and an accommodation
allowance
 family travel assistance
 subsidised household
contents insurance
premiums
 100% subsidised rental
 special study leave
 additional leave to attend
to business
Housing
Furnished two or three bedroom homes
are provided to teachers and their
families to lease at no cost.
Territory Housing is the tenancy manager
who coordinates repairs and
maintenance. The Department of Education and Training provides
funding to the school to furnish the houses.
Most houses are equipped with a lounge suite, coffee table, book case,
computer desk, oven and stove, microwave, fridge, dining room table
and chairs, a queen bed in the master bedroom and a single bed in the
other rooms, a chest of drawers and
curtains.
Shopping and Supplies
The Warruwi shop and service station
sell a small selection of everyday items
and hot takeaway food. There are many
things you cannot buy in the community
and most teachers do their grocery
shopping through bush accounts at Coles or Woolworths and have their
supplies delivered weekly to Warruwi by barge through Perkins
shipping.
Facilities and Services
Health Clinic
The Warruwi Health Clinic is located opposite the supermarket and
provides primary health care services to the residents. It is a walk in
service and is available after hours in emergencies only. All health
emergencies are airlifted (via the NT Aerial Medical Service) to Darwin
Public Hospital.
Police station
The station is not always attended but all phone calls to the station will
be returned. Police carry out other general duties, including motor
vehicle licensing and registration and enforcing regional liquor
restrictions. Warruwi is an Alcohol Restricted Zone under the Liquor
Act.
Council
The Warruwi Council is located near the shops. The Council provides
banking services, housing, Centrelink and postal services to local
residents. The Council also runs a guest house and four self contained
cabins for visitors.
Service Station
The service station is a part of the shop and you can purchase cards
with credit for 24 hours access
For More Information
For more information on Warruwi school and community visit
www.bushtel.nt.gov.au or www.teaching.nt.gov.au/remote.