By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Students and staff from a Far North Queensland school have visited Noble Park Primary School as part of a close and fruitful exchange over the past three years.
The latest visitors from Yarrabah State School sat in on classes, worked on a common painting and shared a barbecue lunch as part of their three days of mutual learning.
Since 2016, Noble Park students and teachers have also taken trips to the all-indigenous ‘sister’ school.
At the most recent excursion, students experienced a Queensland-style class with unique insight into bush tucker, bush medicine and fire-making technologies.
Students discovered the community’s art gallery and met with local rangers for treks of the local country.
“It’s not a closed community but you have to have a reason for going there,” says Noble Park Primary principal David Rothstadt.
Most important has been the human friendships – a “two-way” learning.
As part of the rising enthusiasm, about 20 Noble Park students applied for the most recent tour of Yarrabah.
“For our kids and staff, to meet with First Peoples has been a real eye-opener for them.
“There’s wonderful intrinsic rewards like seeing the kids making these genuine relationships.
“That relationship and personal contact means seeing people as they are, with the same hopes and aspirations.”
The exchange has been partly funded by Noble Park-Keysborough Rotary Club. Rotarians also hosted a barbecue for the two schools in Noble Park on 16 October.
