The name is absent

276

17.4 Viability of the Strelley Community School
*

One of Strelley¹S great strengths lies in the fact that it provides,
within its world,an independent alternative schooling system in microcosm;
the community is not dependent on the state system of schooling to
supply teachers or curriculum. The Mob itself provides a system for
primary, secondary and adult education - with an emphasis on a
Curricultun oriented towards employment adapted to community needs;
P
a curriculum that screens out white cultural values.

•                  ∙ ∙ W                           ’

*

Since it is a system that is provided and not merely a school
for school-age children, a comparatively large staff of white people
is employed, providing the possibility of a community within itself.
In 1980 there were ten European adults resident at Strelley, five
at Warralong, two at Carlindi, one at Lala Rookh, a large enough
group to provide the possibility of interaction with diverse othersɪ.

The selection of staff is a most important factor. Isolation
and cross cultural pressures, as well as the pre-requisite of
-⅛

commitment to the Mob's philosophy, demands a selection of personnel
that is critical.

Stability is valued by the Aboriginal community as well as being
2

of great importance to continuity of policy . There is the need for
at least a core of school personnel to give continuous service.

Nevertheless, such stability cannot be allowed to create a static,
reified situation. It is necessary for group interaction to contain
within it sufficient conflict to retain its dynamism.

The school situation is central to the search for identity at

Strelley. It is a focal point for the whole community.

Tonkinson (1974) in his study of the Jigalong Mob came to the
⅛

conclusion that the self esteem and racial pride, which he observed
and believed to be essential to the preservation of the Law within
the group, could only be maintained by a strong .-ethnocentrism. He

¹The staff was increased in 1981/1982 by a further two members.

²Taped interview.

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