Aputula School Information

Language

Aputula School teaches English and English only by the request of the community. People in the community want kids to learn English so that they can finish secondary studies and then return to the community to take up the available jobs. The Aboriginal languages of Yankunytjatjara and Luritja are the languages spoken in the community. These languages have a strong oral tradition and continue to be spoken strongly, and as the first languages within Aputula Community.

Curriculum

Aputula School teaches the NT curriculum framework developed by NT Department of Employment Education and Training.

Attendance

The attendance rate at Aputula school is very good, averaging around 70-80% consistently over the last few years. Up until the ages of fifteen or sixteen all the kids have educational opportunities and are either in school or in the ESL bridging program. After that age group there is a drop off in opportunities, which the community is currently trying to address through the youth and training program. Unfortunately there is no adult education literacy program in the community.

Funding

Funding for Aputula School is mainly from the Northern Territory Government Department of Education, Employment and Training. The school also receives a small amount of assistance through the ASSPA (Aboriginal Student Support and Parental Awareness) and Country Areas programs.

Outcomes

People in the community are happy with the way things are happenning in the Aputula school. Parents and community people are working together to support the school and as a result the school is having significant results.

Action Plan

Aputula School has developed an 'Action Plan for School Improvement 2003' which includes planting trees, painting a mural, improving literacy, numeracy outcomes and moving towards Aboriginalisation of positions at the school through support and advocacy for teacher training at Batchelor College. Also in place is a Literacy and Numeracy Strategic Plan.