Establishing a school language program: the Parkes High School experience

This paper details the introduction and development of the Wiradjuri Aboriginal language into Parkes High School. It covers the process undertaken to initiate the program and its subsequent developments; the support received from various people along the way; the roles of those involved in the program; the material taught; the positive outcomes for students, the school and the community; critical success factors; hopes for the future; and areas in need of further development. Initial interest and community consultation I first became exposed to Wiradjuri language toward the end of 2005. A community and schools language meeting in Dubbo, where some ideas were floated and discussed by the New South Wales (NSW) Board of Studies (BOS), gave us the initial impetus. Participants were then very fortunate to have several days of intense Wiradjuri instruction from elder Stan Grant Snr and Dr John Rudder, sponsored by a nearby school establishing their own Wiradjuri program. This instruction was delivered to teachers and community members from Parkes, Forbes and Condobolin. Hearing th