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1. Home
2. Aboriginal Languages
3. Learning from each school's experience
4. Lightning Ridge Central School - Yuwaalaraay Stages 1-3

Lightning Ridge Central School - Yuwaalaraay Stages 1-3

www.lightningr-c.schools.nsw.edu.au

'Ngaya Australian' performed by Year 1/2 class of Lightning Ridge Central School

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Giirr ngiyani milan,giirr ngiyani burrulaa
Giirr dhurray ganu dhaymaarri
Giirr ngiyaniluu, bambanha bawili:
Ngaya
Nginda
Ngiyani Australian

We are one but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am
You are
We are Australian (Yuwaalaraay Language Program. 2003. Yugal: Gamilaraay and Yuwaalaraay songs. Coolabah Publishing: Tamworth. p.26)

Introducing the Aboriginal Language Team

• Rhonda Ashby, Community Language Tutor, Lightning Ridge Central School
• Mark Brietkopft, Community Language Tutor, Lightning Ridge Central School

Background

The Yuwaalaraay Language Program at Lightning Ridge Central School has been established for some time and is very much a community program. The Community Language Tutors are employed through a local Aboriginal organisation and the Yuwaalaraay Language Program has its own room in the school where lessons take place. An unexpected outcome of the Aboriginal language program is that students feel safe to come to the Language Room to talk about problems and this is testament to the welcoming environment provided there.

The Yuwaalaraay Language Program has been a part of the Aboriginal Languages support activities with the Board of Studies since 2004. They have had many successes, some of which are described here. The two Community Language Tutors have both been completing teacher training and have been most committed to the Yuwaalaraay Language Program.

The Yuwaalaraay Language Program in Lightning Ridge has operated for many years, during which time there have been many changes and achievements, but also many difficulties. This is the nature of Aboriginal language programs and it is expected this program will continue to find innovative solutions to their problems because of their commitment to teaching Aboriginal languages.