Week Six

It feels quite strange writing week 6 and I'm almost halfway through the 7th week here on Warruwi. Time certainly travels fast when having fun!

The previous week is about as usual as a week on Warruwi can get.

I worked at school Monday through to Friday. In the mornings I taught one-on-one with my selected students and we are slowly progressing in our story writing. The major project for my students was to write, type, print and then even draw the pictures for a story that they wrote. We are even going to print the stories as a book. One student is writing about life on Warruwi while another is giving step-by-step instructions on making cookies- I think he's thinking that eventually he'll get to a) make cookies or b) eat cookies!

I have some good news to report though with one particular student. It's hard to describe precisely the work I am doing as there are child protection laws, but I will brag  about this one annoymous student, after all he is the example of which I came up here for. When he began working with me he was on level 3 reading recovery. However with all the one-on-one work I have been doing with him, he has progressed to level 6. I am so proud of him and he is so proud of himself. Today for the first time ever he also read an 'information' (read: non-fiction) book on dogs. As a result of his great progress he has even tried harder in other subjects such as maths and just general classroom behaviour. He now loves reading and picks up every book he can find, even novels vastly above his level, reads the title and flicks through the pages. I feel like I have actually contributed something worthwhile to the community up here.

On Friday unfortunately there was the beginning of another funeral. A eldery gentleman has passed during the wet but as the ground was too saturated for a burial, his funeral is only being held now. We did not participate in the Friday traditions, such as the greeting of the plane as the school did not have a direct role. Also I would hate to appear as a 'culture tourist.' Instead we watched the Mawing dancing on Saturday night. The Mawing dancing is less demonstrative than for example the Elcho People, but it is still amazing and deeply symbolic. Last night the Elcho People danced and to be honest that was more exhilerating, but I feel privileged just to see any dancing at all.

Saturday was the police's annual 'Off the Hook' fishing competition for the school students. About 50 students attended the event at Bottle Rock and all students received a prizes. The biggest prizes were for longest fish, most fish caught, ugliest or strangest fish and best behaved student. They received reels and tackle boxes, basketballs and vortexs. Other students received t-shirts and frisbees. They had an awesome time and ever since have been hassling me about getting another 'Off the Hook' happening this weekend. It's not happening kids!

We were lucky on Sunday as Louie and Christian, the policemen, took us out on the boat to North Goulburn Island. North Goulburn is deserted of people but full of goats and crocodiles (apparently). So disappointed though, I still haven't seen a crocodile. But the island is beautiful with white sand and pale blue water and coral reefs. Although to be honest I was hesitant to go swimming properly. The fear of sharks and crocodiles were the in back of my mind even as I paddled and folicked. Jen and Louie were standing in ankle deep water when they saw a black-tipped reef shark (admittedly small) glide on past. Christian on the other hand is scared of nothing, with his spear and anti-stinger diving suit he snorkelled the reef catching crayfish.

As the beaches are so unspoiled, I managed to fossick around and find some awesome shells and coral pieces. Some were quite huge, with beautiful orange markings. Others were cowrie shells, with the black dots worn away to a light purple undertone. I will be bringing these home.

Also as we navigated our boat to the northern-most tip of the island, we saw turtles, a pod of dolphins, huge sting-rays and of course school after school of fish. The trip up to this northern point was rough going, with swell breaking at random points where reefs breached the surface.

We were late home on Sunday, arriving back to the island at about 4pm. So basically to tease everyone down South in the middle of winter (or at least the coldest May in 41 years) I spent the day sightseeing and lounging on tropical deserted beaches and paddling in pristine water! We even had a lovely lunch of vita-weets and peanut butter (remember I do live in a remote community- that's a 4 star meal right there!).

Yesterday was back at school again, and so the week repeats itself. I will tell you all about this week in next week's blog, including how tonight we're having Fillipino Honey Chicken with the police tonight.

Finally, I do have some housekeeping news though. I am actually coming home! I have booked Aaron's and my flight for the 5th July. We will be touching down on Sydney tarmac at 7.10am on Tuesday 5th July. So another month and then I'll be embracing the cold with you too!

Croc watch: Still no freaking crocodiles. Starting to doubt their existance.

Croc