Gamardi celebrates registration of new homeland school
The Homeland School Company is pleased to announce that we’ve received registration from the Northern Territory Government to open the first of our independent homeland schools in Term 2 of 2026.
For Dale Pascoe, Chairperson of the Homeland School Company, the approval marks the culmination of a long journey, the seed of which was planted many years ago.
‘Our old people said: This is your country. This is your land. It’s a better place for kids to grow up and you’ll be teaching your kids on country.’
‘Our kids who go away for school have been missing out on funerals, missing out on ceremonies, and missing out on being with their loved ones on country at important times. With our new school at Gamardi, this will no longer be the case.’
In the lead-up to the school’s opening, the Gamardi community has been busy preparing the site, planning lessons and bringing families together to shape an education model grounded in Yol knowledge.
‘Gamardi’s independent school is not just a school for the teachers - it’s for our children. Here, the whole community will be involved in our children’s education,’ Mr Pascoe says.
School Principal Tehmineh Mason said she is committed to supporting the vision of Gamardi Traditional Owners as it takes shape on the ground.
‘What has stood out is the strength of learning already happening on Country, with children, families and Elders all playing a role. This is a school being built by community, for community, grounded in the resilience, knowledge and commitment that has always been here.’
Adults in Gamardi and surrounding homelands will take up a range of roles at the school, including teaching language and culture, cooking, cleaning, driving and site maintenance. These roles are strengthened through the Australian Government’s investment via the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), including the On Country Learning pilot and the Remote Jobs and Economic Development (RJED) program, enabling local employment alongside the delivery of education on Country.
Integrated directly into Gamardi school operations, these initiatives will support improved employment, training and education outcomes, reflecting a genuine partnership that aligns federal investment, Northern Territory Government school registration and philanthropic support.
The Homeland School Company, an Aboriginal-owned and governed organisation, was formed in 2023 after extensive consultation with Traditional Owners, families and educators. It has the valued philanthropic support of Karrkad Kanjdji Trust and Its aim is to enable communities to establish bicultural, independent homeland schools and the infrastructure required for education to function on Country.
Our work has been guided by a strong board of directors, including Dale Pascoe, Nathaniel Dullman, Jacqueline Phillips, Laurie Guraylayla, Monica Wilton, Joseph Diddo, Matthew Ryan, Teya Dusseldorp, Olga Scholes and Neville Atkinson.
Following Gamardi, planning is already underway for future homeland schools at Gochan Jiny-Jirra and Buluh Kaduru, alongside on-Country learning facilities at Bolkdjam.
The Homeland School Company acknowledges the support of the Hon. Jo Hersey, Minister for Education and Training, for her support of this initiative.
For further information or media queries please contact Homeland School Company’s CEO Nic Sharah on: 0476 510 044 or nic.sharah@homelandschoolcompany.org.au.