OUR PHILOSOPHY

Rawa Community School has been operating since 1983, although Martu* education has been happening on Country for more than 60,000 years. The school is part of a long process in keeping Martu knowledge strong and supporting Martu people in the way they direct, guide and grow their children up in a healthy way. The school comprises of two campuses in the communities of Kunawarritji and Punmu, located on Manyjilyjarra and Warnman Country respectively.

 

Best described by the school’s first board chairman, Mr Ditch Williams, the Rawa Community Schools Philosphy is to teach

 

“…two ways: Manyjilyjarra on the top and English on the bottom”. 

 

Also known as the Bilingual/Bicultural Maintenance Model, the school is dedicated to teaching in the context of two languages and two cultures: Manyjilyjarra and English/Western, with clear emphasis on the maintenance, support and respect of the child’s first language and culture.

Rawa Community School was established to ensure that Martu children continue to develop Martu language(s), culture, knowledge, and skills, while also learning to speak Standard Australian English (SAE) and develop the knowledge, capabilities and skills to confidently and successfully participate in a Western world. The aims of education at Rawa Community School have remained unchanged since the school’s foundation and it continues to strive to bring children up strong in both worlds. 

Rawa Community School is committed to making sure the learning is done in a way that is relevant and of value to Martu people. At the centre of its curriculum are Martu concepts which form a framework for what is learned, where it is learned and when. Martu teachers and elders guide students On Country to draw on their deep connection with Country to enhance learning. Learning is linked to the Western Australian Curriculum, Early Years Learning framework and the Australian Curriculum so that knowledge, skills and understanding of both worlds is developed, but in a way that is locally relevant, engaging and familiar to a Martu way of thinking. Literacy and numeracy skills are emphasised, as they are crucial in enabling children to play an active role in maintaining culture, country and community now and in the future and also succeeding in contemporary Australian society. 

‘It’s up to younger generations now to carry on the legacy of our ancestors.’
Elder Minyawe’s story of moving back to the desert

An approach that places Martu epistemology at its centre requires careful collaboration, planning delivery, assessment and reporting by both Martu and non-Martu staff, and negotiation with parents. Close community involvement in the day-to-day operations of Rawa Community School strongly supports the ideals of Martu self-determination and independence. In this way all community members are witness to the important role of the community in determining the direction of their school and are assured that their decisions and ambitions are respected.    As the original chairman of the board often remarked, at Rawa the Martu and non-Martu are “coming up together”.

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