Our History
1960 - 1970
Teachers show students how they use the studio to teach lessons.
Radio towers were erected in 1966, pathing the way of UHF radio lessons.
1970 - 1980
The first School of the Air gymkhana was held at Victoria River Costello yard. The gymkhanas’ were run annually until 1981. Student 35, Principal and 1 Teacher
The issuing and marking of correspondence sets commenced with Preschool course being added, aerial patrols were carried out by Ian McIver as teacher/pilot. Plans for the new school building commenced. 267 Students, Principal, 11 Teachers, a Librarian and 2 Administration Staff.
The new school building on Giles street adjacent to Clyde Fenton Primary School was completed and occupied. Electives were introduced; News, Play Reading, French, Overseas Pen friends and Speech/Drama. 236 Students, Principal, 13 Teachers (including a teacher/pilot), a Librarian, an Art/Craft Teacher and 4 administration staff.
The official Opening of the new building is held on 15th August with Honourable J Robertson the Minster for Education carrying out the opening ceremony. On-air visitors for the ceremony were HRH Princess Alexandra, her husband Mr. Angus Ogilvy and Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen.
1980 - 1990
Bi-annual school excursions began with the first visiting Melbourne. The “Bush Telegraph” publications commenced twice per year.
Mother Teresa (Sisters of Mercy – Calcutta) visited the school and spoke to the children on-air and answered their many questions.
Studio video production comments. Trial programs start around satellite communication. First Inschool is held which included the first school Sports Day. 200 Students.
Pope’s Flying Visit – Pope John Paul II spoke to three Katherine School of the Air children from the plane as he flew to Alice Springs. 217 Students, Principal and 16 Teachers.
Grades 6 and 7 Excursion to World Expo Brisbane. School of Air is transmitted from the Expo site. 192 Students, Principal and Assistant Principal.
John Waters performed a impromptu Play school performance in the KSA studio during a Christmas concert
Over the decades, KSA has utilized a wide variety of technology to provide distance education to students wherever they may be.
1990 - 2000
2000 - 2010
The 25th Anniversary of the first On-Air lesson is conducted in the main studio on 12th September. The KSA Tourist Room was established allowing visitors to the school to view teachers conducting On-Air lessons. Mini schools/camps were introduced as well as the annual camp.
Year 6 and 7 Excursion Victoria & Tasmania Discover Tour was the first time most students had seen snow. Students 253, Principal, 21 Teachers and 9 Administration staff.
First Swim School week is held at the end of Term 4 and included a Christmas concert.
The 30th Anniversary of Katherine School of the Air is held.
A display of Katherine School of the Air is setup up at the Parallel Convention of Commonwealth Education Minister in Botswana and then tours 10 other Commonwealth countries
27th January the second day of term 1 the town of Katherine was flooded. A meter of water ran through the school. Teachers taught from their homes in the unaffected area of the town. School resumed as normal on 9th March.
Judith Green an elite paralympian visited the school in February and again in November to show the students her gold medal. The official opening of the new Library, mailroom and print room building was carried out in December.
The Interactive Distance Learning (IDL) Trials begin.
A temporary IDL studio is set up. Radio lessons gradually begin to fade out and are ceased at the end of the year.
The new Interactive Distance Learning Studio is officially opened in March.
Students travel to Darwin for a leadership conference.
2010 - 2020
Territory Open Education Centre in Darwin. The Prime Minister was joined by Minster for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, Peter Garrett MP, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Senator Chris Evans, Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon MP and NT Minister for Education and Training, Dr Christopher Bruce Burns.
Flexible Learning team is introduced due to the need to cater for Middle Years students who require alternative learning pathways who reside in regional settings in Katherine and Darwin. Flexible learning covers medical, behavior, diagnosed disorders and disengaged students. The Flexible Learning team works with the other agencies to meet the students’ educational needs. 248 Students, Principal, 11 Primary Teachers, 5 Middle Years Teachers, 4 Flexible Learning Teachers, 1 Community Engagement Te
Celebrated 50 years in distance education. Previous principals, families and students joined current KSA staff and families in celebrating the miles stone by hosting a Gala dinner. The time capsule was dug up and viewed throughout the year with a new capsule being laid by current students. The tourist room was reopened to celebrate the milestone. 170 Students, 1 Principal, 5 Early Year Teachers, 6 Primary Teachers, 5 Middle Years Teachers, 1 Learning Support Teacher, 2 Tutors and 5 Administratio
Linked Learning Project course material is launched for Preschool to Year 6.
The main studio used for teaching online lessons is retired. The studio had been in operation since 1977. Teaching areas are upgraded to facilitate new video conferencing software and the ability to teach any where.