AṈANGU voice in education

Our VISION

Aṉangu children will be strong in their learning, their Kurunpa (spirit) and their Tjukurpa (connection to country). Aṉangu will be in the driver’s seat as leaders in education. We will create a new way in education, with Aṉangu and Piṟanpa working together.

Who is PYEC

Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Education Committee (PYEC) is an Aṉangu-run organisation that leads the strategy for the education of Aṉangu in South Australian Aṉangu schools.

PYEC provides leadership to ensure that Aṉangu receive quality education and support in order to be successful in both Aṉangu and Piṟanpa ways.

WE ACHIEVE OUR PRIORITIES BY FOCUSING ON THESE THINGS…

A yellow square sign with rounded edges. On the left is a black circle with an orange silhouette of a shouting face with a megaphone. The text reads: 'Anangu Voice' in bold black letters, followed by '(Anangungku wangkanytja)' in italics, and 'PYEC gives Anangu communities a strong voice in education.'
An orange square with rounded corners containing text about Anangu leadership and collaboration, with a small black circle featuring a stylized red and black floral or seed pattern on the left side.
A graphic with orange background and black text promoting ANANGU programs and ideas, featuring an icon of a vehicle with the logo 'PYEC' and a house.

VOICE IN EDUCATION

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PEOPLE

PYEC Board

PYEC is led by Aṉangu and is incorporated as an Aboriginal Corporation under the Office of Registered Indigenous Corporations (ORIC). We are Aṉangu community-controlled with the Board made up of Aṉangu coordinators from each of the ten schools in the APY lands.

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PYEC Staff

Our dedicated workforce come primarily from local community, reaffirming our intention to employ Aṉangu. Training and development programs mean our teams are always learning and improving - from operations to supervisors and engagement officers in each community.

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PYEC Partners

Essential to the success of PYEC programs is the strong network of affiliate organisations we work with us to amplify our impact. Our partners include the South Australian Government, Flinders University, and the Adelaide and Port Adelaide football clubs.

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PYEC Jobs

Our commitment to employing Aṉangu staff is supported through a recruitment program designed to provide every opportunity for community members. Much of our workforce comes through our pathways program and other PYEC initiatives.

VOICE IN EDUCATION

Three children sitting inside a gray vehicle marked with a PYE logo, with a cityscape background.

PYEC PROGRAMS

NETT Kunpuntjaku

The school attendance strategy - Nganampa Education Tjitji Tjuṯaku (NETT) Kuṉpuntjaku is Aṉangu owned and operates across the lands.

We work closely with parents and other members of the community to make sure children are getting access to the best education. Our partnership with families is essential to getting the children to school.

Children sitting in a circle with their feet extended inward, holding hands, in a classroom.

ARDU Learning in Language

The Aṉangu Resource Development Unit (ARDU) was established to facilitate the development of high quality first language resources to support bilingual learning for Aṉangu students. Funded through grants from the South Australian Department for Education and NIAA, the ARDU puts Aṉangu language and culture at the centre of education by empowering Aṉangu to tell their stories their way.

Two children playing football outdoors on a dirt field.

JUNIOR Ranger & Sports

The PYEC Junior Ranger Program is a new initiative funded by NIAA to create opportunities for senior school students.

Sports programs engage young people in activities designed to encourage exercise, healthy eating, physical and mental wellbeing and a positive play on working together to be better.

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Pathways School to Work

Helping young people move from school to the workforce is a priority at PYEC and this program is a vital link. A collaboration with Empowered Communities, Department of Education and NPY Women’s Council to provide long-term outcomes for youth, families, and communities in the APY region. Support is provided to high school students and is ongoing for 12months post-school.

VOICE IN EDUCATION

Colorful sign spelling 'INDULKAN' with painted letters on blue metal frames in a red-dirt landscape with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

PLACE

AṈANGU Schools

PYEC works in partnership with the ten schools in the APY lands and Wiltja Boarding in Adelaide.

Through the NETT program we provide leadership to ensure that Aṉangu children and young people receive quality education and support so they can be successful in both Aṉangu and Piṟanpa ways.

Man with curly hair, beard, and wearing a blue cap and black shirt, standing outdoors on a sunny day with a field and people in the background.

AṈANGU Community

Our communities are the foundation of our purpose and we engage fully to understand their unique needs and access the deep wisdom that exists among community leaders, elders and families.

Community led initiatives and community participation characterise our work and define what success means for PYEC.

Group of people sitting around a colorful, abstract painted canvas on the ground, some paint containers are visible

AṈANGU Culture

Aṉangu culture is strong and all of our work is designed to support the culture and ensure that the language, laws and stories are preserved.

Through our school and community programs we make sure that Aṉangu children have every opportunity to learn and grow strong in their culture.

An elderly woman painting a rock with paintbrush at a table with various art supplies and painted rocks.

PYEC History

PYEC exists because Aṉangu in the remote communities of the APY Lands wanted a voice in the educational planning and outcomes for their young people.

They collaborated and strengthened their connections across the region and since 1992 PYEC has continued to be a strong Aṉangu voice on education for their children.

VOICE IN EDUCATION

PURPOSE

AṈANGU Education in Language

Five children standing on large rocks outdoors under a clear blue sky, making peace signs and posing.

Young Aṉangu are at the core of what we do.

Through the creation of bilingual curriculum resources for teachers and students PYEC supports the development of skills, knowledge, and confidence to grow into potential, whilst respecting and practicing traditional language and culture.

INSTAGRAM

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We are excited to share the release of a new book through our ARDU program! The ARDU team has supported the creation of a new book by Yanyi Bandicha from Pukatja/Ernabella, with illustrations and graphic design by Jeremiah Kunyima Osborne. The book
Recently, PYEC staff supported the SANFL with the APY Thunder trial match in Ernabella ensuring young fellas from Mimili, Fregon and Amata could make the try outs. Thanks Tjindu foundation for the photos!
Recently, PYEC's Leadership team Paul (GM) and Michelle (Operations Manager) joined the Anangu Coordinators (PYEC Directors) out on country for the Growing Our Own Workshop. We are always grateful for these opportunities to get out on country.
PYEC’s new website is a space for everyone – a place to understand and celebrate our work, share stories, and discover the programs being led by Aṉangu. We all work together so that Anangu children and young people are equipped to enter a
Thank you to the organisations - Tjindu, Crows and Port Adelaide for contributing to our age group winners prize packs filled with guernseys, t shirts, socks, hoodies and footballs. The winning school takes home a signed port Adelaide guernsey and ru
This week, PYEC had the pleasure of hosting the APY Schools Partnership meeting. A big thank you to all who attended and contributed. These gatherings are a valuable opportunity to strengthen our shared commitment to supporting students, families, an
ARDU recently hosted a workshop at Yalata Art Centre to illustrate two stories in Southern Pitjantjatjara. They completed paintings for 'Watunya Palkatanya Pula', Rita Byant's traditional story about the seal and the wombat. Paintings were also done
Last week, PYEC supported Ernabella Aṉangu School's Learning on Country trip. Thank you to Ernabella staff for inviting us to this event and to the senior community members who shared their knowledge.
ARDU and @iwiriarts are working together to give Aṉangu artists the opportunity to illustrate bilingual resources. A big thank you to Renae Nelson and Amanda Daegar for these two beautiful paintings of Country, which will feature in the 'Tjulpu' Two
Fregon ladies Mrs Norris, Denita and Karen recently supported Walytja Friday at Fregon Anangu School. Mrs Norris wrapped up the day singing inma with the kids. Fregon is an example of the warmth that comes from school being an open, positive environm
Earlier this week, @nganampahealthcouncil , @npywomenscouncil and PYEC came together to support the @adelaidecrowsfoundation to run footy and BBQ in Pukatja. Thank you everyone for your support and hard work in pulling together such a fun event #A
Last week, PYEC supported travel for Wiltja students from their home communities to catch the bus in Marla, helping them return to Wiltja Boarding in Adelaide. We’re proud to support these journeys and wish the students all the best for Term 2
After much hard work from our ARDU team, six new board books are heading to print! Designed by Pipalyatjara School and community for our youngest learners across the Lands. Created to support early reading and writing in language, with artwork by Kus
Today, PYEC Chair Jodie Watson, Director Casey Colin-Kenny, and General Manager Paul Malcolm met with the Hon. Blair Boyer, Minister for Education, and Professor Martin Westwell, Chief Executive of the Department for Education, to strengthen our ongo