Scotch College

Ten years of cross cultural experience

The Tiwi Turbos celebrate their win over Scotch

Over the past 10 years an extraordinary relationship has developed between Scotch College and indigenous communities of the Northern Territory. This relationship is based on mutual respect, a keenness to learn more about other cultures – and a love of footy!

The Indigenous Life Education and Cross Cultural Experience is one of Scotch College’s most important programs. It is supported by the School Council, the Principal, staff, students and many members of the broader Scotch family.

The program started in 1996 when the teacher in charge of football at Scotch College, Dr Robert Smith (with the enthusiastic support of Principal Dr Gordon Donaldson), initiated a football tour to Darwin and Bathurst Island. The aim of the tour was to expose the Scotch College boys to a different style of football, played in demanding conditions. More importantly, it was an attempt to close the cultural gap between the urban Melbourne schoolboys and indigenous peoples.

The 1996 tour was ground breaking, with teachers and boys from both Scotch and Bathurst Island enriched by the experience. It was such a success Scotch College has returned to the NT/Tiwi islands in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.

Further, we have developed an exchange program with Xavier CEC School on Bathurst Island where Scotch College hosts two of their boys for a period of 4–6 weeks annually. The boys live in the Boarding House and play football for the school’s under-age teams. The cross-cultural exchange has been nothing short of brilliant, with both groups gaining enormous understanding and respect for the other. An observable increase in understanding and tolerance of difference has been noticed.

Scotch College and Xavier CEC hope to expand the program next year by possibly introducing a teacher exchange. Funding for this program is planned through the school and the Tiwi Islands Land Council.

A lateral development has been the decision by Scotch College Principal Dr Donaldson to allow two boys of Tiwi or NT origin (and now Darwin based) to attend the school as boarders. This has resulted in Cyril Rioli Jnr commencing at Scotch in 2004 and Nathan Djerrkura began his schooling here in 2005. We were fortunate when Stewart Rioli approached us late in 2005 seeking to enter the School to in his own words ‘… see what is out there in the world and get a better education …’.

We admire Stewart’s determination and enthusiasm. Like Nathan and Junior, he also brings much to the School. Scotch College has a greater understanding of indigenous culture and the issues facing these communities, and our boys have developed tolerance and open-mindedness. The School is a better place because of this program.

There has been much interest from other independent schools keen to develop their own programs. These schools see Scotch College as a benchmark, and they respect the way our staff work with colleagues up north to nurture a student and teacher exchange program at the grassroots level.

There are many benefits to the school’s Indigenous Life Education and Cross Cultural Experience. Firstly, it provides an opportunity for the indigenous boys to experience big-city life and learn valuable life skills they can take back to their community, particularly in the areas of diet, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The interaction with their Scotch peers would be an important factor in this.

Secondly, the program offers the boys a chance to continue their football development through first-class coaching provided by Scotch College and the local TAC Cup U16/18 club. This is an area where there has been significant underachievement within indigenous communities, despite the enormous talent present. Football is a legitimate career pathway for these boys and a stay at Scotch College would combine high-standard football with educational opportunities not normally available to indigenous people

The program presents a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange. It allows all participants a chance to develop a more informed and tolerant perspective on life. It furthers the already-strong links between Scotch College and the indigenous communities of the Tiwi Islands and the NT.

Rob Smith and Corrie Perkin

The Indigenous Students Endowment Fund

In 2006 the Indigeneous Students Endowment Fund was established to ensure ongoing financial support for the program. If you would like to learn more about ISEF, or would like to make a contribution, please contact Alan Watkinson in the Foundation Office on (03) 9810 4304.