ME!!

My name is Marika Stefaniw and I am the new teacher at Pia Wadjarri Remote Community School.  I have been working as an early childhood teacher in remote communities for over 6 years.  I am passionate about working with Indigenous children in remote communities.  I have been on an amazing learning journey whilst teaching in remote communities and feel honoured to be working here in Pia Wadjarri. 

I have only been in Pia Wadjarri this term and am loving everything about working and living here.  The country is breathtaking.  The community, school, staff, classroom, students and housing are amazing.  I have had a brilliant handover, thanks to Mr. Sean Firth and Mrs. Fiona Tamminga. 

The weekly timetable has assisted in transitioning me into the school and classroom.   I am continuing the programme that the students have been working on routinely and making a few adaptations including: using the Fitzroy Reading and Spelling programme, developing Math folders for each student, 10 minutes of puzzles and books after recess, rotating activities for Math on Friday’s, class jobs and several new incentives for positive behaviour.  Students receive ticks for positive behaviour which transfers into money to spend in the class shop at the end of the week. Five ticks also translates into one stamp on their reward chart.   I have also introduced a whole class reward system of marbles in the jar.  Students have chosen to have a sleepover at school for the class reward, which includes dinner, a movie and breakfast when the marble jar is full.   

As the school is participating in sustainable practices, I am using a War on Waste programme for Science. Students in both the junior and senior classes are learning about waste and the impact that waste disposal has upon the environment.  Students have buried rubbish to assimulate landfill and will be investigating sustainable practices including: starting a worm farm, recycling and reusing plastics and paper and investigating ways to save water.

I am taking both the junior and senior classes for cooking, with the support of Lulu to assist in preparing everything required for the cooking classes.  Students are creating their own recipe books for cooking, so not only will they cook at school, but take home recipe books at the end of the year to use at home. 

The library currently is in need of a lot of work to get it up and running for the students (and teachers) to use effectively.  As I have had many years of experience working in school libraries, I am able to put these skills into practical use in the school library.  Mrs. Tamminga and myself have already spent many hours sorting the books into fiction, non-fiction, reference and class readers.  We still have many hours ahead of us. 

I am only just starting my new adventure here in Pia Wadjarri and look forward to building relationships with community, exploring this beautiful country and working here at the remote community school.