PARNNGURR TEACHER HONOURED WITH NATIONAL TEACHING FELLOWSHIP

BY TANGIORA HINAKI

Emma Davis, a primary and early years teacher at Parnngurr School in the Pilbara of Western Australia, has been recognised on the national stage for her work in pastoral care and student wellbeing.

Ms Davis is one of just 12 educators across Australia to receive the prestigious Schools Plus Teaching Fellowship Award.

She accepted the honour in Canberra on September 3rd, where Prime Minister Anthony Albanese personally presented her with the award.

Teaching at Parnngurr for the past four years, Davis has gone above and beyond for her students. She runs a breakfast and lunch program, a classroom hair salon, daily hygiene routines, and leads the Keeping Safe curriculum.

“It’s about leading with love,” she said.

“My students are family. They deserve clean clothes, good food, and the chance to thrive.”

Her work also includes a strong cultural dimension, with two-way learning programs that connect Martu ecological knowledge with the Australian curriculum.

“The children become the teachers when we go out on Country,” Davis explained.

She said she feels privileged to live and work in a Martu community.

“It’s truly an honour. You don’t just teach here—you become part of the family.”

Young community leader Murphy Williams told Ngaarda Media everyone in Parnngurr values her work and care for their children.

“We give her a lot of trust. She looks after the kids, and they’re our kids, you know? So it’s all about trust — and she’s earned that. Every child loves her. Every time the kids come back to the community, the first thing they say on the first day of school is, ‘Miss Emma!’”

Listen to Tangiora Hinaki speak with Emma Davis and Murphy Williams: