Larrakeyah Primary School’s Fathma Mauger named 2023 influential educator

A Top End principal whose talents are sought after globally has taken out one of the highest honours among Australia’s education leaders.

Fathma Mauger’s innovative approach to childhood education is inspiring students, teachers and schools across the globe.

After consistently pushing against the status quo and advocating for future-focused educational outcomes for Territory kids, the Larrakeyah Primary School principal has been named one of Australia’s eight most influential educators for 2023.

Ms Mauger said she was surprised by the award but it felt good to see 40 years of hard work as a Territory teacher recognised.

“(My) influence is coming from making staff aware of 21st century learning,” she said.

“We can be different and teach differently to improve the learning of students and to give them greater opportunities.

“I’ve been able to do that and get staff on board to see the benefit of preparing kids for jobs that don’t exist yet, because 21st century learning is preparing kids for the future.”

Larrakeyah Primary School principal Fathma Mauger was named one of Australia's most influential educators of 2023. Picture: Sierra Haigh

Larrakeyah Primary School’s Quest program engages Year 5 and 6 students with industry leaders – such as pearlers, police, paramedics and photographers – to complete a project and get a taste of the future.

Ms Mauger said the program takes “learning to another level” and has sparked interest among fellow school leaders in Australia and Malaysia.

“They work with industry professionals on a project of interest, so it might be, ‘How do I design my dream home?’ and they’re working with architects,” she said.

“Kids are being exposed to careers at a very early age and being engaged in inquiry-learning and learning outside the four walls of a classroom.”

Larrakeyah Primary School's Year 5 and 6 students learn photography with George from George F Photography through the Quest program. Picture: Larrakeyah Primary School

Ms Mauger said the program had been running for about five years and was yielding positive results.

“Kids were saying that they were a bit nervous about the future and subject selection when they got to high school, and this has really given them the opportunity to experience a taste of careers,” she said.

“That nervousness seems to not be there.”

Larrakeyah Primary School's Year 5 and 6 students learn CPR with paramedics through the Quest program. Picture: Larrakeyah Primary School

Ms Mauger’s recognition comes as she celebrates Larrakeyah Primary School’s 60th anniversary as well as her 10th year at the helm.

In that time, Ms Mauger not only introduced the Quest program but also a wellbeing program tailored to children’s daily social and emotional needs.

“To influence, you have to know how to innovate,” she said.

“Innovation is a big part of it and for our future education there has to be innovation, we can’t keep doing the things we’ve been doing 40 years ago, education has changed.

“We need to be thinking about education in different ways because kids have changed and the way they learn now is different, the way they think is different, and we have to be prepared ourselves to think differently.”

Originally published as Larrakeyah Primary School’s Fathma Mauger named 2023 influential educator