HARs author, Margaret James visits Kiwirrkurra School

Honey Ant Readers (HARs) author, Margaret James has just returned from a trip out bush to one of Australia’s most remote communities, Kiwirrkurra. Here she witnessed firsthand the work of the extraordinarily dedicated teachers and the exciting progress their wonderful students are making with the HAR programme. Kiwirrkurra is located in the “tali” (sandhill) country of the Gibson Desert, to the south west of Lake McKay in Western Australia. The Community is approximately 700 km west of Alice Springs, which is the nearest centre and 200km from its closest neighbouring community, Walungurru (Kintore).

Margaret outside Kiwirrkurra School

After a long and dusty drive Margaret was welcomed by teachers at Kiwirrkurra School into one of their homes. School started early the following morning in order to beat the ferocious heat, which built up to 40 degrees by lunchtime! Margaret, who has a Montessori teaching qualification from the Montessori Centre International in London, was fascinated to observe and help with the junior class in their fully equipped Montessori classroom. The bright students showered and then enjoyed circle time, followed by various independent activities such as ‘practical life’ and tracing geometric shapes. Grooming themselves in front of the large mirror is a favourite activity. Morning tea of chopped fruit and hot lunch was delicious! The students enjoyed singing ‘nana dig’ and reading some of the early HARs. Our new book for Ghanaian students called ‘Thank you’ and the new ‘Colours Book’ were also a great hit! Margaret had a wonderful time in Kiwirrkurra and was enormously impressed by the dedicated teachers, bright and enthusiastic students and wonderful hospitality of the community. She looks forward to returning in the future along the dusty, bumpy and beautiful road out west.

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