Tiwi Downlands

This BLOG seeks to show people back home on the Tiwi Island what we are learning and where we live at Downlands, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.

Sunday, March 01, 2009

We drove up to Toowoomba to support the kids. There is still some homesickness, but I think things are getting better.





We have to get a mobile for Wilfred. Bonita has hers - thanks to Rollo. Bonita really looks happy and good.

The others are going about their work and Mark and Isadore are trying to settle down to work.

We started this scheme three years ago, when Noel asked Wendy if the kids could come down here for school.

We all know it is better for the kids down here, but at the start of each term they are homesick.

Parents need to keep on encouraging and it is going to be hard because they wont be back with you until June.

The kids are all safe here and they are well fed, what we have to do now is to encourage them to work hard.

I have been involved in this since Marius and the boys first went to Monivae in 1970 and I think we need to really go for it now so we can make it educationally.

You only have to look at the smiles to know good things are happening!

What we must do now is to push on so kids get Qualified!

It is possible for the kids to start a TAFE course while at school - and if we get half the course done down here, it can be finished in a couple of years in Darwin.

I am trying to get the kids to use email. Only Noreen is obliging now. I think you should send them emails and let them write back - it all helps develop the writing skills.