St Francis Xavier Catholic College shuts amid Daly River community unrest

Tensions have reached a boiling point in a remote NT community, forcing the school to close. But educators are still finding a way to teach the kids.

A Catholic school in a remote Northern Territory community is expected to be shut for the remainder of the week as tensions in the town escalate.

St Francis Xavier Catholic School in Daly River closed on Monday to students and teachers amid concern around safety.

Unrest in the town began on the weekend with reports to NT Police about armed people driving around in stolen cars on Sunday evening.

A police officer was allegedly assaulted by a flying axe during the incident, with two people since charged.

NT Police said additional resources were deployed to the area in response.

Catholic Education NT director Paul Greaves said the school had closed on advice from locals in the area, due to “pretty significant community unrest” unfolding.

“We’re working with the community and acting on advice to keep people safe,” he said.

Mr Greaves said up to 90 students from Transition to Year 12 went to the college and were affected by the closure, along with staff who had been moved out of the community.

“We are taking into account the need to ensure staff and students are safe,” he said.

“The principal has remained in the community and has been providing learning packs to students so they are still finding ways to continue education.”

A scene from the Daly River community of Nauiyu where community unrest has forced the school to close. Picture: Jason Walls

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the government was addressing the issues in the community of Nauiyu.

“Of course it’s concerning when children can’t access their work from school, but I acknowledge Catholic Education and leadership teachers and the principal has ensured that packs are available for students to continue learning from home,” she said.

“But these are complicated issues that are driven by many factors but I can absolutely assure the local community there and Territorians more broadly that Northern Territory government agencies but as well the community are working to solve these into the longer term.”

NT Police commander Kylie Anderson said they hadn’t seen a noticeable rise in serious crime since the weekend.

“NT Police are continuing to work closely with community members in an effort to maintain calm.

“Since the arrests of these two men there have no further reports of any serious incidents within Nauiyu Community.”

In May 2022, similar community unrest in Wadeye closed schools and health centres.