Following extensive heavy rain throughout the Territory, access to a number of remote schools in the Alice Springs and Barkly regions has been affected.

Due to impassable roads the following remote schools will not be able to open as scheduled to do so from Tuesday 31 January:

Alice Springs Region

• Areyonga School
• Bonya School
• Haasts Bluff School
• Nyirrpi School

Barkly Region

• Ampilatwatja School
• Arlparra Homeland Learning Centres
• Canteen Creek School
• Epenarra School
• Mulga Bore School
• Murray Downs School
• Willowra School

Students who are unable to access their community and are in Alice Springs will be able to attend an educational program at Sadadeen Primary School. 

Students who are unable to access their community and are in Tennant Creek will be able to attend an educational program at Tennant Creek Primary School and Tennant Creek High School.

Teachers whose communities remain inaccessible will continue to be accommodated in Alice Springs and Tennant Creek. They will either provide additional support to run the educational program at Sadadeen Primary School, Tennant Creek Primary School or Tennant Creek High School or attend professional development activities.

Based on the current weather forecasts for these regions, it is anticipated that the affected schools will reopen during the first week of school.

Schools will reopen when they can be accessed safely by the students, teachers and the community.

The Department of Education will continue to closely monitor the weather and road conditions in these regions and provide regular updates on the status of the affected schools.

To enquire about alternative educational programs contact:

Sasha Robinson, Regional Director Alice Springs - 0409 481 682

Bill Armstrong, Regional Director Barkly Region – 0408 274 361

Media enquiries: Hayley Green: 0459 801 149