Homeland School Company on the Cusp of Opening First Independent Homeland School
The Homeland School Company (HSC) is preparing to open the first of three independent, bicultural schools on the Djelk Homelands in West Arnhem Land, starting with Gamardi School in Term 1 of 2026, where registration is currently under assessment by the Northern Territory Government.
Gamardi is home to 72 people, including 17 primary-aged children who currently split their schooling between Maningrida and the homeland. While the placement of a full-time teacher at Gamardi has been welcomed by the community, HSC Chairperson Mathew Ryan says more needs to be done.
“Just from experience, growing up on one of the homelands, I saw a lot of engagement from the school and the Northern Territory Education Department, and it was flourishing,” said Ryan. “There were teachers coming out daily, weekly. Kids were being educated like any Australian kids should be. But that level of education has declined.”
At Gamardi homeland, improving classroom facilities and deepening community input into the curriculum are key priorities. Building on the strength of local leadership, HSC is working to ensure education is guided by the knowledge, culture, and aspirations of families on Country.
Mr Ryan says, “From a Homeland School Company point of view, we want to see change for our children out bush. They’re safer out bush, healthier, away from social media … We’re not going to sit around. We want our children to be educated out on the homelands too. They’re entitled to education, no matter where they are living, be it urban areas, remote areas, or on homelands. We’ve got a good, strong membership base and strong leaders who want to see change right now. And we want the Education Department to walk with us.”
HSC CEO Nic Sharah said the registration process is progressing well, but that broader challenges also need to be addressed.
“A lack of infrastructure like power, water, and roads, can be barriers to delivering place-based education that meets the needs of Arnhem Land students,” said Mr Sharah. “But the positive side is that when we can link traditional knowledge, Elders, families, and Country, we see kids and communities thrive. So, in addition to the registration process, we’re also looking at how to address these infrastructure needs.”
The Homeland School Company is working toward a model of education that is bilingual, bicultural, and grounded in the land, stories, and seasonal knowledge of each place. Inspired by the success of the Nawarddeken Academy, and working in close partnership with Traditional Owners and the Northern Land Council, HSC is also advancing plans to register independent schools at Buluh Kaduru/Bolkdjam and Gochan Jiny Jirra.
The Homeland School Company is proudly supported by the Karrkad Kanjdji Trust, Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, and the Nawarddeken Academy, as we work to revitalise education, training, and employment opportunities on our homelands.
For media enquiries, contact:
Nic Sharah
CEO, Homeland School Company
0476 510 044
nic.sharah@homelandschoolcompany.org.au