Northern Peninsula Area

Northern Peninsula Area Schools and Education

Introduction:
The Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) is situated in the far north of Queensland, Australia, where mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea come closest to each other. With a population of around 12,000 people, the NPA is home to a diverse mix of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Education is a key focus for the community, with a range of educational organisations offering benefits and activities for the local people.

Primary Schools:
There are three primary schools in the NPA, each providing education for children from pre-school to Year 6. The first is Seisia Campus, located in the Seisia community, which has a strong focus on bilingual education, incorporating Torres Strait Creole into learning. The second is Bamaga State School, located in Bamaga, and has a strong focus on literacy and numeracy. The final primary school is Injinoo State School in Injinoo, which places a large emphasis on cultural awareness and community connections.

Secondary Schools:
There are two secondary schools in the NPA: Tagai State College in Bamaga and Tagai State College - Northern Peninsula Area Campus in Injinoo. Both schools offer education from Year 7 to Year 12 and provide a range of academic, vocational and cultural programs. Tagai State College - Northern Peninsula Area Campus offers a strong cultural studies program which focuses on traditional knowledge, skills and values of the local Indigenous communities.

Higher Education:
There are no universities in the NPA, however, the nearest is James Cook University located in Cairns, which offers a range of courses including medicine, veterinary science, law, business, education and engineering. There are also many vocational courses offered through TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutes in Cairns and across Queensland. These courses include automotive, construction, hospitality, child care, community services, business administration and many more.

Educational Organisations:
Besides schools and universities, there are several other educational organisations in NPA which offer educational benefits and activities to local people.

1. Northern Peninsula Area College Support Centre: Provides tutorial support to students from eligible families in the NPA to improve their educational outcomes. Contact: T 07 4069 4122.

2. Family Responsibilities Commission: Provides support and guidance to individuals and families to improve school attendance and engagement. Contact: T 1800 636 079.

3. Yalga-Binbi Institute: Offers a range of courses in Indigenous language, culture and arts, including Certificate II in Indigenous Leadership. Contact: T 07 4069 1608.

4. Glyde Point Youth Centre: Offers after-school programs, holiday activities and camps for children and young people aged 8-17 years. Contact: T 07 4222 5233.

5. Dan Dan Mentoring Program: Provides academic support and mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Contact: T 07 4069 2522.

Conclusion:
The Northern Peninsula Area is home to a vibrant and diverse community which places a high value on education. The range of educational organisations and schools in the region provide a wealth of educational benefits and activities for local people of all ages and backgrounds. By investing in education and providing support for families and students, the NPA is helping to build a strong and connected community, enriched by traditional knowledge, skills and values of the Indigenous communities.