Kalkaringi CEC, serving the twin communities of Kalkaringi and Daguragu, has a student enrolment of around 130 students from Pre-school to Year 12. Currently there are 11 teaching positions, 4.5 FTE Assistant Teachers, a Ngumpin Coordinator, a Registrar, a Cleaner/Groundsperson, and 3 ancillary staff funded by the local C.D.E.P.
Although
a school presence has been in the community for decades, the school has
been at the current site since 1976. The school has recently been successful
with a capital grant application and a $1.2 million secondary facility
will be built in 2004. In 2002 the school became a Project School for
the Provision of Secondary in a Remote Location.
Currently a full secondary curriculum is delivered at Kalkaringi, with
the first NTCE graduates completing Yr 12 in 2003.
LOCATION
& WEATHER
Kalkaringi
is located approximately 460 kms south west of Katherine. The township
of Kalkaringi occupies 260 hectares and was gazetted as an open town in
September 1976. Because it is an open town, permits are not required for
residents or visitors. Daguragu is located 8 kms north of Kalkaringi via
a bitumen road. Permission from traditional owners, through the Central
Land Council, is required to visit Daguragu.
The climate is subject to monsoonal influence, but the distinct seasonal
patterns of wet and dry do not strictly occur. The annual rainfall is
between 400 - 500 mm, most of which falls in December, January and February.
The hottest months are December and January with temperatures averaging
36 - 39 degrees. Of course, monsoonal rainfall cools things down to a
large degree when it does fall. The cooler months of June and July are
very pleasant with temperatures averaging 24 - 27 degrees maximum and
9 - 12 degrees minimum.
CONDITIONS
Kalkaringi CEC is a category 3 school.
More than adequate teacher housing is supplied at Kalkaringi. The school
is in the remote category that provided housing and utilities free of
charge. All houses are furnished. Terms and conditions for this category
can be found at 'Teaching
in the Territory' website.
OPPORTUNITIES
& HISTORY
Kalkaringi is located in the area of Wave Hill Station, which was opened
as a station in 1883. Cattle has been the main economic industry for much
of this time. In 1966, the Gurindji people working on Wave Hill Station
went on stike over wages, conditions and land. The famous Gurindji Walk
Off followed, and eventually Australia's first successful land rights
claim was recognised when the then Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, handed
back the land at Daguragu, in 1975, to the Gurindji leader, Vincent Lingiari.
Traditional Aboriginal owners belong to the Gurindji language group. There
are also other residents of Daguragu and Kalkaringi who belong to other
language groups, including the Warlpiri. The population of Daguragu/Kalkaringi
is approximately 700 people although there are always a number of visitors
from other communities and tourists travelling through Kalkaringi. Kalkaringi
is situated on the Buntine Highway, which runs between Top Springs, NT,
and Halls Creek, Western Australia.
The country within the Daguragu Land Trust varies considerably, hilly
spring country in the south to rolling grass and scrublands in the north.
The soil can be shallow, stony or heavily textured grey/brown/black varieties
supporting vegetation ranging from stunted Spinifex and desert oak to
mulga and coolibah trees. The Victoria River and many of its tributaries
provide an irregular supply of surface water, but there are several large
permanent waterholes, which provide year round fishing, particularly for
barramundi, and swimming.
Visit
the 'Out Bush' section of the 'Katherine
Region' pages of the Rivers Cluster site to learn more.
WEBSITE
Our website is currently under development.
