Tiwi kids have now been at Downlands for One Year!!

The important thing is for the kids to hang in. The benefits flow from being at a place like Downlands after a year or two.

Most kids find it easier as they get older, because they start to see the importance of what they are being taught.

The boys are playing sport and this helps a lot - you get to know the other kids easy. We need to get the girls playing sport now - you don't meet people sitting on your bed in your room!

Sheree and John-Pere are the two new kids. Josita has been at Downlands now for twelve months.

It seems important that the kids be at Downlands for the full term - that they arrive with the other kids and do not leave early at the end of term. Dave Bartlett is now in charge of the Special Education Unit for aborigines. He has been on Downlands staff for a while and was formerly in the army. A likely lad!

John-Pere and Sheree were a bit homesick at first, but it did not last long. They were good when I saw them yesterday.

The boys all got to the Gabba this weekend - no complaints about it!!

In two weeks the kids will be back in Brisbane and off to GBJT Tennis - where they are honary members. The Parish of Kenmore is looking around for some CD players so the Tiwi kids can make as much noise as any other kid in the dorm.