Stories from Mornington Island

Located in the Gulf of Carpentaria, Mornington Island is the largest and northernmost of the 22 islands in the Wellesley Islands group. The Traditional Custodians of the land are the Lardil, Yangkaal and Kaiadilt peoples who have managed the islands and surrounding seas for millennia. It is a beautiful and culturally rich place to live and teach.

The local school, Mornington Island State School (MISS), is a Kindergarten to Year 10 campus, located in the town of Gununa, the largest settlement on the island. The school believes in working together within and for the community and encourages students to be proud of both themselves and their rich cultural history. Teachers work together in professional learning teams to understand their students, plan engaging learning experiences, share challenges and ideas and celebrate successes.

Learn more about living and teaching on Mornington Island.

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Complete your professional experience placement on Mornington Island

When Georgie was persuaded by friends to complete her final professional experience placement in a remote community, she could never have guessed where it would take her. After completing her placement on Mornington Island, she returned home to the Gold Coast and completed her degree. As she started doing relief work, she soon realised one important thing: she missed being in a remote community and the kids she met on Mornington Island. Four years later, she’s now a Head of Special Education Services at Mornington Island State School and enjoying her time on the island.

Discover how Georgie was supported to complete her placement with a Beyond the Range Professional Experience Grant and a place to stay while she was there.

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Progress your career on Mornington Island

Teaching in a remote community like Mornington Island supports you in developing and finessing your teaching pedagogy as well as providing you with opportunities and the support to grow your leadership capability. In this video, you’ll hear from 3 people who have grabbed these opportunities with both hands.

Kate is a Head of Curriculum, who found that she has increased her leadership skills, as well as her learning, about First Nations culture and language since being at the school.

Georgie started at the school as an early career classroom teacher and moved into the role of alternative classroom teacher before being given the opportunity as a special education teacher. Now, she is a Head of Special Education Services. Georgie attributes her career progression to having access to these opportunities as well as the support of the school and professional development to advance her teaching practices.

Finally, you’ll meet Reyne, who started at Mornington Island as a classroom teacher before he embraced the opportunity to work as a Head of Department. Soon after, he transitioned to a Deputy Principal role. He explains, “it’s definitely been a deep learning curve, but one that I believe is going to hold me in good stead from the knowledge and experience that I’ve gained.”.

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