In 2001 St Michael’s Primary School was opened as a bare tin shed with a concrete floor; no fan’s to cool the air, no computers, and spider webs hanging from the ceiling. In this image of St Michael’s classroom in 2010 you can see what has been transformed into a colourful and positive learning environment that Win Thomas has created for the students of Wudikapildiyerr. (Woodycupaldiya)
Towards the back of the classroom are the first and second year students, whilst at the front of the room, the third, fourth and fifth year pupils’ work in small separate groups. The woman on the left of the image is Patricia Parry, a local resident of the community who is employed to assist the younger students. In spite of the very real barriers that continue to exist between Indigenous Australians and the education system, many Indigenous parents value formal education because it gives them the hope that their children will experience a more positive future.,