SCOTCH PRINCIPAL DR SCOTT MARSH , TIWI COLLEGE PRINCIPAL GREG HOLLIS , TIWI LEGEND BRIAN CLANCY , CHAIR OF TIWI LAND COUNCIL AND TIWI COLLEGE , JENNIFER ULLUNGURA CLANCY , FORMER SCOTCH COUNCIL CHAIR , ALEX SLOAN (’ 71 ), SCOTCH ’ S HEAD OF ADVANCEMENT , TIM SHEARER (’ 85 ), SCOTCH ’ S HEAD OF INDIGENOUS EDUCATION , DR ROB SMITH , TAMMY AND SHANE TIPA FROM MAMANTA SERVICES .
TIWI ISLANDER CYRIL RIOLI (’ 07 ) VISITED SCOTCH IN JULY AND IS PICTURED ( CENTRE ) WITH SCOTCH ’ S CURRENT FIRST NATIONS STUDENTS AND 2023 SCHOOL CAPTAIN , DION WHITFIELD ( KNEELING CENTRE ).
Moved by the experience , Rob arranged annual tours to the Tiwi Islands where our boys would play against the Tiwi community on Bathurst Island . The relationship grew as trust was built . Scotch would return annually and many Scotch boys were fortunate enough to experience the rich culture and hospitality of the Tiwi Islands .
Not content with the prevailing educational offerings on Bathurst Island , the Tiwi Education Board , led by Jennifer Ullungura Clancy , felt the Tiwi children deserved better . ‘ We ’ ve tried the non-Tiwi led way , often led by well intentioned non- Tiwi people , but it hasn ’ t worked .’ Scotch ’ s relationship with the Tiwi community went to the next level when the Tiwi Education Board engaged Scotch to support the creation of Tiwi College at Pickataramoor on Melville Island . ‘ The Tiwi Way is all about relationships , friendship and family . Tiwi have had a beautiful relationship with Scotch College since the ’ 90s which quickly grew into friendship , and now they are part of our extended Tiwi family .’
Opening in 2008 , Tiwi College is a product of the Tiwi elders ’ desire and foresight to have a school that educates students in the Tiwi Way , with Tiwi language and culture at its forefront . It is a boarding school owned and managed by the Tiwi people through the Tiwi Education Board , which comprises senior men and women from all Tiwi communities . The school is located at Pickataramoor , which is strategically located approximately 60km away from the closest community .
Tiwi College Principal Greg Hollis notes : ‘ The secret of success to our
BARLOW MCCARTHY ( YEAR 10 ) AND FRIEND DURING THIS YEAR ’ S VISIT TO TIWI COLLEGE longstanding relationship is both as simple and as complex as the foundations we ’ ve built together . Forged through friendship , understanding and mutual respect for our unique identities and the recognition of the strength in our diversity , we each care about and strive to provide the best for our students in everything we do .’
The Yadha Muru Foundation is an independent , not-for-profit organisation that seeks to grow and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while nurturing their identity , in partnership with schools , families and communities , by creating their own good path to learn , grow and thrive . Yadha Muru means ‘ good path ’ in the language of the local Dharug people .
Evidence from NAPLAN testing shows that by Year 3 , many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children display literacy and numeracy achievement levels well below their non-Indigenous peers . The NAPLAN data demonstrates that this educational gap persists as students progress through the school years .
The Yadha Muru Foundation works with communities and schools to establish relationships , developing trust , understanding and respect , culminating in partnerships between the local community and high-quality schools .
The key building blocks of the partnership model are respect , reciprocity , relationships and responsibility . Each partnership uniquely arises out of a local collaboration that ensures the school is designed to meet the particular needs of the students and the local community . Agility , flexibility , autonomy and responsiveness at the school level are critical .
It would be fair to say that Tiwi College has had its fair share of ups and downs since its inception . The school is presently rebounding from difficulties associated with the pandemic and with leadership instability . Brian Clancy , a Tiwi legend , stresses the importance of the partnership : ‘ There is no plan B . If Tiwi College fails , the Tiwi youth will fail , and we have failed the Tiwi youth .’
The final word is perhaps best left to Dr Rob Smith , who has done so much for Scotch ’ s First Nations program : ‘ At Scotch we are proud to partner with Tiwi College to achieve positive educational and life outcomes for generations of Tiwi .’
TIM SHEARER – HEAD OF ADVANCEMENT
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 19