Hi Family & Friends
It is hard to believe our time in Kalumburu has almost come to an end. We are excited about coming back to NSW but also feel really sad about leaving this special place. We have had an amazing time in Kalumburu and have experienced, learnt and grown more than we could have ever imagined! We are due to fly out of Kalumburu next Friday, arriving in Sydney early Saturday morning. Having said that however; we are currently on cyclone watch, with a cyclone predicted to hit Kalumburu on Monday. Hopefully, it all comes to nothing and we can fly out of here as planned next Friday!!
Painting fun at Playgroup
Some big news that we would like to share with you all is that a teenage girl from Kalumburu is going to live with us next year. Her name is Sanchez and she is 13 years old. Her parents are keen for her to move away from Kalumburu so she can attend high school and have opportunities and experiences that aren’t available to her here. She will attend St Philips Christian School (where Adam will be teaching) and will be in Year 7. Abstudy will provide financial support and Sanchez will be able to travel home to Kalumburu every school holidays. We are really excited about Sanchez coming to live with us and are so happy to be continuing our connection with the community of Kalumburu.
Marine discoveries at Pago
Ok, this is my debrief... or at least the start of it. If you want more, plan a trip to the Hunter sometime after January. I’d love to process it with you (preferably over a local drop).
If you’re thinking of ducking up to the far north Kimberley for a weekend to snag a Barra I have two things to say. Firstly, if my experience is anything to go by, it’s not as easy as you might think. Secondly, if you catch one, I do not want to hear about it. I return after two years Barra-less. Disappointment.
That is just one of the emotions running through me at the moment. I’ve also got excitement, sadness, appreciation, mystification (is that a word?) and a host of others. A couple of years in Kalumburu has been transforming, to say the least.
School Boys play in the puddles after October rain.
Work has been reasonably smooth. Well before finishing at Kalumburu RCS I started feeling a part of St Philip’s CC. I have appreciated receiving emails including questions, information, documents etc which have made me feel a part of all that’s going on in Cessnock. That has been wonderful. I’ll be sad to say goodbye to Kalumburu RCS. I’ve made some great friends in the other teachers and have learned so much. I am a better teacher and administrator thanks to the opportunities and support I have been afforded here, and will be forever grateful for that. I feel that I am coming to grips with the depth and complexity of many aspects of indigenous education. I recommend the experience in a remote school to anyone who is thinking of something like this.
Visiting St Philip's Christian College - Cessnock
I finished my Grad Dip Div about a month ago, which is a real relief. While I enjoyed the study, it was challenging because of the obvious demands it places on a full-time teacher and dad. I would like to revisit a lot of the material here and there in the future, when time and assessment pressures aren’t screaming at me.
Year 4 and 5
In the last few months my relationships with some of the local people have grown and deepened more than they have in the entire time up to this point. It is with sadness that I will be saying goodbye to many wonderful people. Hopefully, through Sanchez, I’ll be able to maintain a connection with Kalumburu and its people. I have experienced the wisdom and intuition that the aboriginal people of Kalumburu (and, I expect many other places) possess but which, in their humility, is not obvious at first (or for sometime after if the ‘ice’ in the relationship is hard to break). The transiency of Gudiyas (white people) in the community understandably delays or restricts the building of relationships with locals and my habits, prejudices and insensitivities are equally hard to break through.I’ll quit my rambling now, but I’d love to talk more with you about my limited experience. It feels like the journey is just beginning. Right now I can’t see how, but I hope and trust that the path that helps me build on the Kalumburu experience as I return to NSW will be revealed or at least discoverable over the coming months, before it all slips into distant memory.
Amy....
I have been really busy this term, continuing my work at the Corporation and at the school and also home schooling Isabel. I have enjoyed all these roles and have learnt so much but am really looking forward to a bit of a change of pace!
Mums and Bubs' group
Here is a bit of a run down of the different groups I’ve been involved with....
Playtime at Mums and Bubs
Mums and Bubs Group continued to be a real success this term. The mums decided that they wanted to meet together outside in the Grotto (grassy area) instead of in the Clinic. This worked out really well as we had more space and the mums enjoyed being outside in the shade. On average we had about 8 mums attend the group each week. Activities that the mums enjoyed included; making hand and foot prints of their baby, making bell wrist bands for their baby and painting a banner of the hopes and dreams they have for their baby. We also had discussions about a variety of different parenting topics such as sleeping, nutrition, child development and play. 
Mums were given books to take home for their babies
Playgroup started out slow in the beginning of term 4, but attendance grew towards the end of the term. Mums who attended the Mums and Bubs Group also started to come along to Playgroup. This was fantastic! A lady from the community began working with me at both Mums and Bubs and Playgroup and she was a wonderful help. She will continue to work in these groups next year.
The Girls made puppets that they later used in role plays
We continued to do the Mooditj Program in Girls Group and completed this at the end of November. Mooditj was a great program to do with the girls as it helped them develop self confidence and relationship skills. It also encouraged the girls to set goals for their future and helped them take positive steps to reach these goals.
Girls Group Christmas party
We had a special dinner for the girls who attended 80% or more of the program and the girls were treated to some pampering as well! Sandra, the Community and Youth Development Worker, will continue Girls Group next year.
Mooditj dinner
It will be very sad to say goodbye to the friends I have made here as well as to all the beautiful kids. I’m sure our experience in Kalumburu will stay with us for a long time to come!
Isabel & Hudson.....
Isabel and Hudson have had a great time in Kalumburu but are very excited about returning to NSW and being closer to family! They are also looking forward to getting involved in activities such as swimming and dance lessons....things that just aren’t available up here!
Hudson still loves his hugs
Isabel finished doing Home School with Amy last Friday and is looking forward to starting Year 1 at St Philips! She has learnt so much this year and has come such a long way with her reading and writing. Isabel has enjoyed her mornings at Pre Primary this term and has been very brave and strong.
Beautiful Bel
Hudson has had a great time at Kindy and playgroup this term and will really miss the friends he has made here. He will attend Nulkaba Preschool next year, 3 days a week.
Hudson and Shaneal at the Playgroup Christmas Party
Thank you so much for your support while we have been in Kalumburu. It has been greatly appreciated!
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to spending time with you in the New Year!
Love Adam, Amy, Isabel & Hudson.
