Shepherdson College (Galiwin'ku)

Shepherdson College is one of nine bilingual schools in the Northern Territory. It began in 1943 with missionary Ella Shepherdson and Yolŋu people, including Burrumarra, Guyumul, Djumaŋgay and Guritjaluk. They taught the children under a bush apple tree. In following years, Yolŋu, including one of the first students, Bunbatjun, constructed the school building alongside Ella's husband, Rev. Harold Shepherdson, affectionately known as Bäpa Sheppy.

The school is located on Yolŋu land at Galiwin'ku, a small island community in North East Arnhem Land. Today, many clans live together in Galiwin'ku, each with their own language, including Djambarrpuyŋu and many, many others. Language and traditional ways of hunting, living, art and law remain strong on the island.

At Shepherdson College you will see children learning subjects such as culture, literacy, numeracy, science, sports and history. They are delivered through the bilingual program which sees students learning two languages, and learning through two languages: Djambarrpuyŋu and English. In 2022, there were 490 students enrolled.

(via MySchool and Shepherdson College)