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Daly River, Nauiyu
Daly River is located 224kms south-west of Darwin, in the Northern Territory of Australia.
At the request of the local Indigenous Elders and Bishop O'Loughlin (Bishop of Darwin 1949-1985), Father John Leary commenced building the school and the mission with local Indigenous people. St Francis Xavier School opened in 1957 for local Indigenous children. The area was close to the river and central to surrounding clans, tribes, and cattle stations. Until recently and for over thirty years, the OLSH Nuns had a strong presence in the community and school with the MSC priests working in the mission since the early 1950's.
The area is presently populated by various Indigenous groups. Originally there were several language groups, including Ngangiwumirri, NgangiKurunggurr, Marrithiel, Marringarr and Malak Malak. Some of these languages are still spoken within the community.
St Francis Xavier School
St Francis Xavier is responsible for the education of approximately 50 children from the Daly River community. Under the watchful eye of Maj O'Neill, the Principal, these children are taught in 4 class groups. The smallest children are part of the schools pre-school program. Kindergartens through to year 2 are combined into one class, Year 3 to Year 6 in another, and a senior class catering for high school aged children.
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