Still deeply reflecting on the experience of Alice Springs and the truly inspiring educators that Rikki Mawad and I met through our engagements with Robyn Thorpe and the NTPA and Joanne Alford of Centralian Senior College.
We hear a lot about education in Alice, and the NT more broadly, what gets reported is a truth, but one of many. What we witnessed were dedicated people working within complex systems of government, education and all of the intersectionalities that come along for the ride, who had the students and the broader impacts of their education constantly centre of their worlds.
People who would in any other job, role or universe not be expected to do what is assumed in their roles in terms of the broader care and agility needed to be a Principal or school leader, with the leanest of resources at times. These are humans who show up from their core, and know that sometimes the smallest, almost imperceptible shift in behaviour and belonging from a student is a seismic win for their education and future.
The work we did in trauma-responsive schools, teams and cultures workshops were far from a training from a place of authority. It was a handing over of tools, information and perspectives to people who already came from a supremely innate base of knowing how to support the fragility of growing minds and identities. It felt like dropping off some fresh supplies to sustain throughout the term, knowing that they would be well utilised.
For all those educators who keep showing up: we see you. We see the gross inequities, the struggle, but we mostly see your strength, your passion, your grit and your tenacity, your innovation and creativity, as you know, and we know, everyone of those kids is worth it.
Thanks for letting us swim in your river.
