A Chat on Sept 2nd

Saw the kids today. They are doing better than ever, it is to their credit and to the credit of parents down home who give them direction.

FEW LITTLE THINGS: there was a school dance on Friday, as always happens, someone had a bottle of grog outside, and the brave kids went outside for a swig! Tiwi kids have to keep away from that smartie behavior because the school has to act strongly, and Suspend kids when there is alcohol around. I told the kids that they have to give good leadership, and stay away from that stuff! So other kids can come to Downlands!

We call John-Piere "Lockwood" because he is the key man, good at relating with the white kids and helping Tiwi kids relate better. But sometimes he gets stirred up, then it is the turn of the other kids to help him. Josita is going to go with John Piere tomorrow to explain to the teacher that there is to be a New John-Piere and that the new bloke will be supported by the others! Stongly.

The other thing, is that Tiwi parents are real generous sending money down, but when there is a school dance, often the kids can't pay their $2. I think we all need to encourage the kids to pay their way like the other kids - noone wants the Tiwi kids to get in for nothing because they are aborigines. We will work together on this: Parents, Teachers and Kids!

Finally, the kids will leave at the end of the term. They come down to mix with the white kids. It is better that they turn up with the other kids and say their good-byes with the other kids - and enjoy the fun of saying Hello and Goodbye. So the kids will leave on 21st Sept and get back to Nguiu on 22nd Sept