With unique flora and fauna, the site is ripe for new discoveries.

However, more sinkholes and cracks are appearing in the earth and the site is in need of new root systems to hold the soil together.  

The school has just received a $3000 grant from Danihers to establish a Sinkhole Preservation Project, which will enhance environmental education for the students, and protect the land from a slow-burning sinkhole epidemic. 

Daily scientific expeditions with science teacher Ms Genevieve Firmer are proving to be engaging learning experiences.

“The sinkholes have been an opportunity to integrate the biology, chemistry and geology curriculum into a real life, outdoors situation,” Ms Firmer said. 

It is also a great opportunity to educate students about the environment, water security and endemic Katherine flora and fauna, she said. 

“One of the exciting things about sinkholes is there are rarer insects, plants and reptiles due to the lower temperatures, higher humidity, and increased groundwater access.”

“It would be cool to discover a new insect,” she said. 

As a remote town, a new discovery is definitely possible, Ms Firmer said.

“We are 300 kilometres from Darwin, so it is unlikely all the insects and plants around here have been properly researched,” she said. 

The school intends to create a small network of bush tracks and cleared spaces among the sinkholes and native plants for the whole community. 

Ms Firmer also envisions information signs and QR codes to keep the project going into the future.

So far two fully formed sink holes have been discovered and a further three are in the developing stages. 

Ms Firmer said there is a need to educate Katherine residents on environmental issues in the wake of PFAS contamination issues and the NT government’s recent decision to life the moratorium on fracking. 

“Sinkholes are common around the Katherine area, and are a key entry site for storm water into underground aquifers, meaning that they are important for the water security of the town,” she said.