Sailing Schipperkes demonstrate dog training at a Papua New Guinea unique school

Our 3 Sailing Schipperkes were invited to demonstrate how island dogs, especially when still being puppies can be trained by anyone instead of being left wild! Filmed in February 2025. Location: Tunnung Island, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea Total Students: 45 / Teachers: 4 What is a Permitted School? A permitted school is a community-established school that operates independently but is officially recognized by the government. This structure allows us to tailor the curriculum to the specific needs of our island while still meeting national education standards-a critical balance that helps ensure our children receive an education that is both relevant and meaningful. A Different Kind of School Tunnung Permitted School is more than a classroom-it is a living, evolving learning environment designed to prepare children for life in their communities and the modern world. Our locally developed curriculum includes: - Rising sea levels and climate resilience - Marine conservation and reef health - Soil regeneration and sustainable farming - Poultry keeping and food security - Basic life skills for village life - Importance of gender equality - Dog training and animal behavior We actively engage with visiting international yachts, inviting sailors and yacht crew to share skills, stories, and systems onboard their vessels. Students explore: - Freshwater filtration systems - Solar and wind energy setups - Navigation technology - Safety and emergency procedures With support from the Coral Sea Foundation (Australia), students are learning underwater photography and are engaged in reef monitoring and data collection-with findings shared with James Cook University. We host school excursions, welcoming students from other schools so ours can deliver PowerPoint presentations on marine ecosystems-sharing with them not only content, but confidence, public speaking, and pride in their home environment. Recognizing the limited formal employment opportunities in PNG, we focus on preparing children for real-life success in their villages with the skills, knowledge, and values to thrive. Our Mission Founded in 2021, Tunnung Permitted School was created so that children could remain on the island with their families, rather than being sent away for boarding. We are committed to raising children in a safe, culturally grounded, and supportive environment, close to home and reducing financial burden to families. How Do We Know the School is Working? Growth-families from neighboring islands want to enroll their children with us. We see first-hand how empowered our students feel when they teach visitors about coral reefs or confidently explain how a watermaker works aboard a boat. Our long-term vision is to offer vocational education on the island, providing a pathway for students to complete their education at home, surrounded by family, culture, and community. We believe that another way is possible-and that it starts with schools like ours. Why We Are Seeking Support We are now requesting assistance to secure 15 pre-loved laptops or tablets for our students. These devices will allow us to: - Plan and deliver engaging, interactive lessons - Store, access, and share learning materials - Teach digital literacy - Connect with global educators and resources - Empower students to create and present their work - Support long-distance learning and future telehealth connectivity - They will also enhance our delivery of both traditional and skills-based programs, including: - Tourism and Hospitality - Reef Conservation - Agriculture and Permaculture - Basic Mechanics and Building - Environmental Monitoring - Reproductive health - Free diving (spearfishing) safety awareness - First Aid Conclusion Tunnung Permitted School is proof of what a determined community with a shared vision and strong leadership can achieve. With no government funding and limited resources, we have built a sustainable, student centered, and future-focused school. Now, we ask for your support to help us bridge the digital divide. Fifteen pre-loved laptops or tablets would allow us to utilize our new WiFi access and bring the world to our classroom and allow our children to grow in confidence, curiosity, and capability. Thank you for believing in community-led education and the future of our islands. With gratitude, On behalf of Tunnung Permitted School Ms Donna Anton - Head Teacher Mr Fidelis Tamba - Chairman of School Contact persons. - Angela Pennefather Email: ange@melanesianyachts.com - Clement Anton Email: clementanton24@gmail.com / Whatsapp: ?+67570222776