A Week in the Pilbara: Ann’s Reflections on TLG’s First Visit to Baler Primary School.

The Baler Primary School Pilot Program in Winter 2025 was a significant milestone for Teach Learn Grow. Even though I wasn’t a part of this journey, the heartfelt reactions from those who experienced it firsthand paint a vivid picture of what made this pilot program extraordinary. There is something unforgettable about arriving somewhere new especially when you know you are the first to do so. The moment Ann arrived, she said, everything felt still. The airport was quiet, the air warm and dry, and the red earth shimmered under a wide blue sky. It was calm, unfamiliar, and yet, somehow, instantly welcoming. That is how Ann described stepping off the plane in Port Hedland, as part of the first TLG team to ever visit Baler Primary School in South Hedland.

From the very beginning, the sense of connection was what stood out most. The school’s staff greeted the team with genuine warmth “They were some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met,” Ann shared. “Within minutes, it felt like we’d known them forever.” What surprised Ann most was how alive the school felt. Despite it’s remote location, it had a deep sense of pride and energy that reflected the heart of its community. Every classroom was bright and full of care, and the students’ enthusiasm was contagious.

Throughout the week, Ann and the TLG team worked with numerous students across Years 1 to 6, each day bringing fresh faces, stories, and smiles. One student who left an impression was Anthony, a curious and determined Year 3 boy who was not officially part of the program due to the school’s size. They selected children who would benefit the most from TLG sessions, but he showed up every morning, eager to join in. “He would ask me every single day if he could come to tutoring,” Ann laughed. “And every day, I would tell him to talk to his teacher about joining next time. Ann could not help but admire how much he wanted to learn.”

Eventually, Ann promised that if Anthony could not come to the sessions, they would spend lunchtime together instead. It became a highlight of her week. They played games, drew with chalk, and filled the playground with laughter and colour. By the end of the program, the Year 2 block pavement had become a gallery of their drawings, a small but powerful reminder of what TLG is about.

Moments like that are what make TLG’s work so meaningful. It is not just about tutoring; it is about connection, showing students that someone believes in them and is willing to spend time listening, learning, and laughing with them. Anthony’s story reminded me that sometimes the smallest moments leave the biggest mark.

The week ended with an emotional goodbye. The team had stayed up through the night creating a giant chalk mural in the assembly hall, filled with drawings of the school’s animal symbols and words that celebrated the students’ strengths. When the children saw it, their faces lit up a perfect ending to a week of learning, sharing, and joy.

As Ann reflected from Perth, she said what stood out most was not just the place, but the feeling of being part of something new of helping start a relationship between TLG and a school full of curious and creative minds. These reflections from Ann emphasise the program’s success in fostering connection and providing educational opportunity.

Written by Neve Gulvin (Marketing Officer)