This next part of our adventure sees us at Wallace Rockhole, an Aboriginal community in the West MacDonnell Ranges approximately 120 kilometres from Alice Springs.
Our three week stint at Kintore was cut short by a few days owing to being needed at Wallace Rockhole to cover a vacancy (or else the school closed). We were a bit sad leave to Kintore so suddenly as we had more we wanted to do with students and they have so much to offer us. Gracie cried when we got the news that we were needed at Wallace Rockhole and would be leaving the next morning! Comforted in the knowledge that we’ll return though for the last 3 weeks of term after this coming week at Wallace Rockhole.
Term 2 here finishes on June 19th and we then have a 4 week break…which I think we may have earned after the Kintore experience. Kids are delightful….but challenging in their unique ways. They certainly have free spirits…and a willingness to climb….tap drum beats with sticks, pencils, M.A.B. rods – you name it - that can do your head in….and very inquisitive natures (so much so that every door in the school had to be locked to keep them out!) These kids know no boundaries!!!
Wallace Rockhole is a totally different community and school. Streets and houses very tidy, children look well cared for and their English is excellent. School population is in the mid-twenties…although on Friday it was only 4 (Gracie included) as most of the community travelled to Alice Springs to attend the funeral of a respected elder.
The Rockhole which we haven’t explored yet is apparently well known for its rock art and petroglyphs. We will see it this week after getting permission from locals… and paying $5 each!
Tjangala, Nungurrayi and Nampitjinpa
(..our skin names given to us by Ampi, teacher’s aide and important person in the Kintore community. Very honored! Each aboriginal is given a skin name…a fascinating tradition well worth researching. )
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| Launching paper helicopters with Wallace Rockhole kids |
shaylene mcnamara
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