Department of Education and Training

School arrangements and learning support during flood response - Monday 9 March 2026

8 March 2026

The Department of Education and Training advises that, due to flood response and recovery efforts, the following government schools will be closed on Monday 9 March: 

• All government schools in Katherine:
  • Casuarina Street Primary School
  • Clyde Fenton Primary School
  • Katherine High School, including Katherine Flexible Learning Centre
  • Katherine School of the Air 
  • Katherine South Primary School
  • Kintore Street School
  • MacFarlane Primary School
• Remote schools across the Big Rivers and Top End regions:
  • Jilkminggan School 
  • Mataranka School 
  • Nganmarriyanga School 
  • Woolianna School 
  • Wugularr School

Families should directly contact Early Childhood Education and Care services and St Joseph’s Catholic College Katherine to receive updates on operating status.

Katherine High School, MacFarlane Primary School and Casuarina Street Primary School continue to operate as shelters supporting the Katherine community. Mataranka School has been established as a centre to support residents from the Jilkminggan community. The department recognises the efforts of staff that have worked across the weekend to operate these sites.

The department has also established pop-up schools in Darwin and Palmerston to continue the learning of young people from communities that have been evacuated.

The safety of our staff, students and community remains our highest priority. Schools affected by flooding will undergo safety assessments as soon as conditions allow to clarify damage and prioritise rectification. Schools will re-open as quickly as possible to provide safe, supportive and predictable learning environments, supporting our community to bounce back.

The department sincerely thanks parents and the community for their ongoing support and patience.

ENDS. 

Media contact:
media.det@education.nt.gov.au