Nemarluk School has marked 40 years of providing specialist education in Darwin, with Territory leaders joining students, staff and families to celebrate the school’s role in supporting children with additional learning needs.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Minister for Education and Training Jo Hersey attended the anniversary celebrations at the school in Darwin’s northern suburbs, reaffirming support for specialist education across the Northern Territory.
Nemarluk School is one of five specialist schools operating in the Territory. The celebration comes as the Northern Territory Government progresses plans for the new Palmerston Secondary Special Education School, which is scheduled to open in Term 1, 2029, following a $110 million budget commitment.
Established in July 1986 with 25 students, Nemarluk School now supports around 185 students. Located alongside Alawa Primary School, the school provides specialised learning programs while allowing students to participate in shared educational experiences with the neighbouring school community.
Students are taught using the Australian Curriculum, adapted to meet individual learning needs. The school supports children through their primary years before they transition to Henbury School, the Territory’s specialist secondary school. Last year, 69 Henbury School students completed a modified Northern Territory Certificate of Education and Training, helping them pursue further education, training and employment pathways.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said Nemarluk School had made a lasting contribution to the lives of Territory families.
“For more than 40 years their dedicated staff have transformed the lives of thousands of young Territorians living with special needs and disabilities, from pre-school to year 6.
“The provision of high-quality specialist education, tailored to the individual needs of each student, has improved the quality of life and opened up new possibilities for generations of Territorians.”
Education and Training Minister Jo Hersey said the government remained focused on supporting students through specialist education programs and future pathways.
“In our year of Growth, Certainty and Security, we are committed to Education outcomes in our Specialist Schools and just this year we announced $110 million in the budget for the construction of the Palmerston Secondary Special Education School, to be opened in term 1 2029.
“Nemarluk School has played a vital role in the lives of Darwin families whose children need to access special education services.
“I’d like to thank our hard-working Principals and Teachers in the Northern Territory’s Special Education Schools and those who teach and support students in Special Education Centres.
“Happy Birthday Nemarluk School and congratulations to current and former school students, staff, and families for helping build this great Territory School.”
Nemarluk School principal Virg Hughes said the school places a strong emphasis on developing practical and academic skills that support student independence.
“As a school we have a strong focus literacy, numeracy, communication and regulation.
“We aim to have learners leave our setting as independent as possible by using structured teaching to develop their skills to use visual schedules, so they know what they are doing, when they are doing it and who they are working with.
“This then supports students in transitioning between activities or learning spaces and by the end of their primary education their transition to Henbury School.”
The anniversary highlighted four decades of specialist education in Darwin and the continuing role of schools such as Nemarluk in supporting students with additional needs as they progress through the education system.
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