In 1915, the Cowal Creek community had an Anglican Church Mission School. In 1936 Mr Jomen Tamwoy from Badu Island became the head Teacher of Cowal Creek School. In 1940, Muttee Head School opened with Head Teacher Mr Adikuiam Adidi.
Mr Adidi remained Head Teacher of Bamaga School until 1964 when the Queensland Department of Education established a Bamaga Primary School on the site of the current bakery. This was later moved to Anu Street to provide for a much larger area and growing enrolment. Before the school became part of the NPA College, it was a separate large primary school with its own Headmaster. It catered for Preschool to Year 7 in those early years. Injinoo Campus was a satellite campus of Bamaga Primary School.
Bamaga State High School opened in 1973 with students being enrolled in Years 8, 9 and 10. The Principal of the High School was Mr Frank Young. Mr Young became a major figure in the Education Department as did many other Principals who served in the Northern Peninsula Area. Barry Staib became the Regional Executive Director of the Far North Queensland Region while Frank Peach who was another ex-Principal became the Director-General of the entire Education Department.
In 1995, there was a restructuring of schooling in the NPA and the current P-12 model was established. The school became known as Bamaga P-12 State School. It was run as a P-12 school with one Principal, a Deputy Principal and several Heads of Department. The High School became the administrative centre for the school. Later a Deputy Principal (Primary) was appointed as well to help manage complexities in the growing school.
After 2000, the Bamaga P-12 State School transitioned to the Northern Peninsula Area College, incorporating the three campuses (Injinoo Junior Campus, Bamaga Junior Campus and the Bamaga Senior Campus). These service the educational needs of the five communities of Injinoo, Umagico, Bamaga, New Mapoon and Seisia.
During the transition period, the College moved away from traditional titles to be one of the first schools in Queensland to adopt a true College philosophy and structure. A College Principal was established to oversee the strategic direction of the College and to consult with the communities. Heads of Campus were put in place to lead and manage each specific campus, with a Head of Curriculum guiding teaching and learning needs.
The future is very positive for the NPA State College. Currently it has approximately 60 registered teachers in teaching and administrative roles throughout all the campuses. Strong links with TAFE have been developed. The College will continue to grow and adapt to provide a quality education service in one of the most remote centres of Queensland.
Traditional Owners
The four Traditional landowners of the Northern Peninsula Area are the Angkamuthi (Ang-a-muthy), Atambaya (Ut-am-bye-a), Yadhaykenu (Yad-ak-ken-a) and Gudang (Good-ung).
Traditional Owner Protocols
When visiting Country, it is recommended you seek prior permission from the Apudthama Land Trust. As we are visitors to this Country, it is an important sign of courtesy and respect. Apudthama Land Trust is the entity responsible for the management of a large component of the Traditional Lands of the Injinoo people. The Apudthama Land Trust is the second largest freehold Land Trust in Australia. There are nine board members elected by the community to manage the land for the benefit of the Traditional Owners.
Apudthama Land Trust / Contact details
57 Ropeyarn street
Injinoo Qld 4876
directoralt@outlook.com
https://www.apudthamalandtrust.com.au
Apudthama Land and Sea Ranger Program operates through Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (NPARC) and jointly runs with the custodians of the land, The Apudthama Land Trust. The rangers manage local natural resources over 250,000 Ha of land including 300 km of coastline both east and west coast of Cape York.
NPARC Apudthama Land and Sea Ranger Program / Contact details
NPARC office Bamaga Phone: 07 40904100
Angelina.williams@nparc.qld.gov.au
https://nparc.qld.gov.au
Ipama Ikaya Aboriginal Corporation was formed and became the Registered Native Title Body Corporation (RNTBC) and was assigned with the responsibility to manage the native title on behalf of the traditional owners of the Angkamuthi, Atambaya and Gudang Yadkeykenu tribal groups. Ipima Ikaya means One Voice or One talk.
Ipima Ikaya / Contact Details
Injinoo Council Building 57 Ropeyarn Street
Injinoo Qld 4876
Phone: O437 627 512
Email: manager@iiac.org.au
Historical Owners
After the Second World War, families from Saibai Island migrated to mainland Australia and established settlement at Muttee Heads which later moved to the present sites of Bamaga and Seisia. The descendants of these families are known as 'Historical Owners' as distinct from the Traditional Owners.
Cultural Protocols
Acknowledgement of Country
An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesto Country. An Acknowledgement of Country can be offered by any person and is given at the beginning of a meeting, speech or event.
All College meetings and events begin with an Acknowledgment of Country, or a Welcome to Country.
Welcome to Country may ONLY be given by a Traditional Owner with permission from the Land Trust Board of Directors.
The preferred NPASC Acknowledgement of Country is:
We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands, seas and waterways upon which we teach, learn and live. We pay our respectsto the Ancestors and Elders of the past, present and future, for they hold the memories, traditions, the culture and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
and their continued determination to keep culture alive and strong.
You may wish to personalise your own Acknowledgement of Country or include the names of the Traditional Owners. Please discuss this with our School Community Partnerships Facilitator or a local staff member to check what you write is culturally appropriate in our NPA context.
Community Expectations of Staff - The NPA Wei
Religious Protocols:
Religion is a very important part of the culture of Cape York and the Torres Strait. The predominant religion was Anglican but now there are many practicing religions in the area. Prayers and/or blessings are used for:
- kai kai(food) provided atstaff functions before itis consumed. Itis highly offensive to start eating before this has occurred. We sit to eat.
- beginning of functions at the College.
- beginning and closing of college meetings; and
- newly purchased itemssuch as sporting uniforms, flags and school vehicles before they can be used.
Respecting the Culture of the community:
Floral Friday is part of our celebration of the local culture. Every Friday the NPA celebrates by wearing culturally appropriate dress.
- Females can wear a traditional ilan dress with a flower in their hair or a floral top with skirt or trousers.
- Males can wear floral shirt and trousers.
- Traditional dresses can be purchased in the area.
- Floral shirts can be purchased anywhere.
Dress Codes:
Wear modest clothing to school and in community.
- Knee length skirts, dresses and shorts for women.
- Shoulders should be covered at work and on Sundays in community.
- Bikinis are not appropriate when swimming. Active wear is not suitable for work.
- If wearing an Ilan dress it should be worn to the knee.
- Appropriate footwear that complies with workplace health and safety must be worn.
Non-Verbal Language:
In the NPA and in the Torres Strait locals use a form of non-verbal language. Long before telephones, this was used for many, many years to communicate with each other when living in a village. If someone wanted to communicate with another person on the other end of the street, they would use a series of hand signals and facial expressions to communicate their message. This non-verbal language is still used today, and our students use this as well. It can be used by our students when in the classroom and some signals can be used to tease other students without hearing anything.
Funeral protocols – Sorry Business:
Families will be notified by in-laws who will gather the family to the home of the loved one who has passed and inform the families. Thisis called breaking of the sad news. Once the news has been broken, families will gather at this residence and sit together until the burial day. This can take place for several weeks depending
on family and finances.
- Periodically families will be affected by sorry business. Affected families have many cultural obligations that must be observed. This may impact on the school in terms of reduced student attendance or local staff being unable to attend work.
- If you wish to contact a family in mourning about a school matter, check with administration staff to ensure the ‘breaking of the news’ has been completed and confirm whether it is appropriate to contact them.
- Minimise vehicle and foot traffic and noise near houses in mourning.
- Always give way to funeral processions and pull over to the side of the road.
Men and Women’s Business / Status:
- Be aware that the relative status of males and females in some contexts can be at odds with attitudes in mainstream locations. Teachers need to be respectful of local customs regarding men’s business and women’s business.
- Indigenous communities have a deep respect for social and family hierarchies. It is wise for teachers to follow the lead of local staff.
Movement on Country /Traditional Lands - travelling throughout the NPA:
- Some places in the Northern Peninsula Area have special cultural significance and permission from Traditional Owners must be attained before entering. Teachers are advised to consult local staff regarding permission – if it is required and who they must contact. Prior to going on outings past the township limits, teachers are advised to consult with local staff to find out if permission is required and who the appropriate person to ask is.
- Please seek information from Apudthama Land Trust, NPARC Apudthama Rangers, Ipima Ikaya Aboriginal Corporation (PBC). Information is provided on previous page.
Living in our community:
- Teachers are encouraged to embrace NPA culture and attend community events when invited.
- Community members also encourage teachers to join and learn traditional dancing and perform at community events and school functions.
- As teachers we are held to high professional and personal standards of behaviour not only by our professional regulatory bodies (see Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service and QCOT Standards and Conduct for Registered Teachers) but also in the eyes of community. Teachers need to be mindful that they are highly visible within community and their conduct will be scrutinised closely.
- The advice in this document is not exhaustive and cannot cover all situations. Mistakes will be made from time-to-time by teachers. The communities are generally forgiving if the error is acknowledged and appropriate steps to apologise are made. Incidents like this should be regarded as an opportunity forlearning and engagement. Hopefully relationships can be repaired and even strengthened because ofmeaningful dialogue.
Please keep in mind:
- The importance of making and establishing connections with local staff at school.
- Embracing culture and accepting invitations to community events is highly valued.
- Your neighbours may be the parents of children you teach.
- Working in community can be challenging.
- Your behaviour is always under the microscope in a small community.
- The need to balance work and wellbeing.
Animal Management:
- If you come across stray or wounded animals, please contact Animal Management on 40486900 based at Umagico.
- Please do not take these animals home as they belong to someone in community.
- Please do not feed or water these animals at school.
- Conditioning local animals and ‘camp dogs’ to seek food and water at school or your residence creates problems when you leave and do not take the animal with you.
- Refer to the accommodation handbook regarding permission for pets.
- Animal Management by-laws state only two dogs per household unless they are hunting dogs, and all animals must be registered with Animal Management who work under the NPARC (Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council).
- Vets will visit community throughout the year and updates on their visits will be posted on the NPARC website http://www.nparc.qld.gov.au/contact-us
Languages of First Nations People in the NPA
Injinoo Ikya is the language of the Traditional Owners of the land in the NPA. Torres Strait Languages such as Kalaw Kawaw Ya (KKY), Kala Lagaw Ya, Meriem Mir are also spoken. Languages from other regions of Cape York also influence spoken language in the households of the NPA. Local Creole spoken in the NPA is not
universal and different versions contain influences from Cape York Creole and Torres Strait Island Creole (Yumplatok). The local Creole spoken reflects the cultural identity and heritage of the speaker.
Injinoo Ikya
In 2015, Pama Language Centre was asked to work with a group of Injinoo Eldersto revitalise their language.
Community Elders, Mrs Sandra Sebasio (Angkamuthi) Mr Roy Mc Donnell (Atambaya) Mrs Cecilia Ropeyarn (Atambaya) and Mr Meun Lifu (Yadhaykenu) have been working together to revive their collective linguacultural heritage.
Torres Strait Creole
Also known as Ailan Tok or Yumplatok is spoken by most Torres Strait Islanders and is a mixture of SAE and traditional languages such as Aboriginal English/Creole. However, each area has its own version of Creole.
Kalaw Kawaw Ya (KKY) Kala Lagaw Ya
Traditional Language owned by the Western and Central Islands of the Torres Strait.
Meriem Mir
The language of the Eastern Islands of the Torres Strait, especially Murray Island.
Using Language in the Classroom
First Nations peoples often have strict protocols for the use of traditional language(s). Teachers should refrain from attempting to incorporate language and other cultural elements without proper authorisation from College leaders and permission from appropriate First Nations peoples. The NPA is a uniquely diverse
community with First Nations peoples whose heritage and lineage may have complex links to Indigenous communities within the NPA, the Torres Strait Islands and beyond.
Students will frequently use traditional/home languages, Creole or Yumplatok in the school setting. This is an opportunity for teachers to recognise that a student is communicating in a language or dialect that is not SAE, and to teach them the equivalent phrases and expressions in SAE.
Students should not be reprimanded for expressing themselves in a manner that they feel comfortable with but instead be guided in the use of SAE to communicate their intended meaning or feelings. Using language or other cultural elements in the school environment may cause serious offence if it is unauthorised,
misused, or delivered incorrectly.
This section cannot cover all uses, situations and settings where the use of language may be relevant.
Teachers are advised to seek advice and clarification from appropriate senior local staff. As is often the case for non-Indigenous staff attempting to navigate cultural protocols, it is best to talk less and listen more.
Advice for Teachers
- You are encouraged to meaningfully engage with culture by attending community feasts, ceremonies and events.
- Look for opportunities to incorporate local culture in the classroom but this should be done with sensitivity and appropriate consultation. Seek permission from College leadership and Indigenous staff before proceeding.
- Recognise that the communities of the NPA do not always speak with one voice and what may be considered acceptable to one individual may not be to another. As such, consultation with appropriate senior staff is essential.
- Non-Indigenous teachers should refrain from using local language in school publications, staff emails and text messages to families.
College Wide Expectations: The NPA Wei
These protocols have been co-created in consultation with staff. It is an expectation we always uphold these.
These protocols are referred to as the NPA Wei. You will note many of these, but not all, are included in the NPA Wei placemat and are reflective of the College motto:
We are safe; we are respectful; we are learners. We show Good Pasin.
Formal classroom visits are pre-arranged with the teacher. The purpose of the visit is clearly articulated and agreed upon. As a courtesy, changes to times must be communicated as soon as possible and a new arrangement made to suit both parties. If you are visiting a classroom or office space, always knock before
entering and wait to be invited into the room. When using others’ rooms, please leave the room clean and tidy. Parents and caregivers are advised NOT to deliver lunches to classrooms or interrupt learning. Admin and office staff to be aware of the lesson in progress and the time of day when delivering messages (urgent/non-urgent – can this wait until break time?).