West Arnhem College – Gunbalanya School, West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory: case study – co-principalship, a model for Indigenous leadership and governance.

West Arnhem College - Gunbalanya School is a remote Aboriginal school located 320 kilometres east of Darwin NT. This case study has been developed from a review of documents prepared by the School including the Annual Operational Plan, a review of literature, and structured conversations held with the two principals of the School and the Director of School Performance. Gunbalanya School uses a co-principal model, which means an Indigenous school principal works collaboratively with a non-Indigenous school principal. The co-principalship model operates on the basis of equal and reciprocal relationships between the two principals. Initiatives at Gunbalanya School aimed at ensuring the school works in concert with the community include a flexible school year, attendance strategies, culturally relevant health games and a co-principal leadership model.