URAPUNGA SCHOOL

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Location & Climate

Urapunga is located across the Roper Bar by the junction of the Roper and Wilton Rivers, 320 km south-east of Katherine which is the nearest major urban centre. Access to Urapunga is initially along the Stuart Highway to the Roper Highway turnoff, which is about 7 km south of Mataranka. The road to Urapunga is of good standard, with only the final 80 km unsealed. During the wet season the community is isolated by the flooded Roper and Wilton rivers. The airstrip is open for the majority of the wet season. The larger community of Ngukurr, which is 21 km east of Urapunga, is the centre for the local government council offices, the NLC office, the police services and the health centre.
Urapunga experiences the Wet and Dry seasons, with temperatures ranging from Dry season overnight lows of 10º through to daytime highs of 40º in the buildup. The annual rainfall is 800-1000 mm.

Communication & Travel

Urapunga usually has clear radio and TV reception via ABC and commercial sources, except during Wet season storm conditions and power failures. The same applies to telephone, fax and internet services. The majority of travel is by private vehicle, of which there are few in the community. A 4-wheel drive with good ground clearance is advisable. Nighthawk and Trans Territory Foods deliver goods weekly by truck in the Dry season. Because the airstrip is unsealed it is closed at times during the Wet season. There are no regular passenger services to Urapunga, but flights can be chartered through the Ngukurr office. The community is serviced by a weekly mail plane on Tuesdays which brings perishables ordered from Katherine. During the Wet season boat access across the Roper River is possible by an arrangement with the Roper Bar Store, as is secure storage of vehicles. Arrangements to cross the Wilton are more complex. There are two public, coin-operated telephones in the community as well as the school and shop phones.

Accommodation & Living Conditions

Teachers are housed in modern, air-conditioned dwellings. All basic furnishings are supplied. Living conditions vary with the seasonal changes, from very dusty to very wet. The accommodation is a little separate from the local community. There is limited social life within the community and gaining social contacts beyond the community requires time and effort. There is a telephone to each house which is easily reconnected through the Telstra service. Television is operated via the satellite dish at the school.

Community

Urapunga, formerly known as 'Upper Roper' was first surveyed as a township in 1873 after the completion of the Overland Telegraph. Prior to that time the Roper River was a thriving port. Many cattle were off-loaded to be driven along 'The Queensland Road' stock route, and it was envisioned that Urapunga would become a large town.

The population of Urapunga is approximately 100 people. The Urapunga station is not a working station, but a previous owner is returning to help traditional owners repair and restore it so it can become a viable concern once again. The Yapunyalla Store is well stocked with food and clothing and has a variety of take-away foods. English and Kriol are the main languages spoken

Features

Urapunga School has an enrolment of 17 students from Pre-School to Year 7. The school is staffed by a Teaching Principal, and Assistant Teacher, and two ATAS tutors. There is a School Council, which employs a cleaner and groundsman, and an ASSPA committee. Urapunga is an attractive and well-resourced school. The staff and students are proud of the school, which is well-supported by the local community. The attendance rate is approximately 80%. There are tow classrooms, a resource room and library and a staff room and office. Urapunga is an isolated school which is cut off by floods during the Wet season.

Attractions in the area

Being close to Ngukurr, Urapunga offers people similar recreational opportunities. These include fishing in the Roper River and 4-wheel drive excursions in to the adjacent country. Prior to any excursions it is necessary to enquire whether or not a permit is needed.

Specific Allowances

Urapunga School is classified as a Category 3 School. The following are conditions of employment for any teaching staff living at Urapunga.

· 100% Rental Concession
· 5 study leave points for each completed year of service in this locality. 20 points must be accumulated in order to receive 6 months study leave, which is subject to CEO approval.
· Fares Out of Isolated Localities (FOILS). 3 FOILS Fares per year to Darwin ie. Km Allowance + 2 Nights Accommodation.
· Freight on food stuffs. Reimbursement to cover freight on food limited to a maximum of 12kg per week for an employee without dependants, 23kg per week to an employee with one dependant and 31kg per week to an employee with more than one dependant.
· Family Travel Assistance Program
· Household Contents Insurance Premiums
· Professional Isolation Allowance $1429.00 per year
· Business Days 4 days leave per school year on Group School Principals Approval.