NT school back in community hands after year of statutory management

An independent Indigenous school in Alice Springs, Yipirinya School, has transitioned back to community management after a challenging year under statutory arrangements. The school was placed under administrators in July last year due to significant financial issues and allegations against its former principal.

“

If we're bringing in significant numbers but we're not actually providing the quality education they deserve, then we're doing them a disservice.

Principal Greg Hollis expressed the school's renewed focus on "teaching and learning" as a strategy to rebuild student enrollment. He believes increasing student numbers is crucial not only for boosting funding but also for the school's ability to repay a substantial $3.7 million debt to the federal government. "If we're bringing in significant numbers but we're not actually providing the quality education they deserve, then we're doing them a disservice," Hollis stated, encouraging regular attendance and learning.

“

I want to encourage them to come along, to attend regularly and to learn. That's where it is at the moment.

Former administrator Stuart Reid confirmed that the school will begin its debt repayment next year. The repayment structure involves the government retaining approximately $700,000 from the school's annual funding each year, a plan budgeted for over the next five years. Hollis assured that the school's funding would be managed wisely to maximize learning outcomes.

“

The way it works is that the government will retain the sum of around about $700,000 from each year's funding, so it's not cash going back, it's just less cash coming to the school.

A new Yipirinya School Committee, comprising nine members, has been established with the goal of regaining community trust and guiding the school's future. Committee member Kumalie Kngwarraye highlighted the school's founding principles of Indigenous knowledge transfer and two-way learning. "This is a very important time celebrating the hand-back to the community for self-management and control, self-determination and empowerment for our people to look after our own affairs," she said. Kate Mar Fan acknowledged the committee's significant task ahead but expressed optimism, stating, "It's definitely not going to be easy, but we're definitely going to be trying our hardest to work through everything that we can for the best outcome for our students and our staff."

“

We've budgeted for that, so the school will be able to manage that over that five-year period.