Gawura was established in 2007 by St Andrew’s Cathedral School in response to systemic underachievement and the clear disparity in educational outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Why is Gawura special?
- Our students commence in Kindergarten – a critical, foundational year, and we keep classes small so we can care for students holistically.
- Students learn about, and share each others culture which builds self-esteem, confidence and resilience in each child.
- We work in partnership with community & our parents have a voice.
- Gawura offers a dedicated bus service resulting in high attendance rates of 92-94%.
- Gawura teaches a focused, dedicated literacy and numeracy programme in a culturally enriching environment.
- Gawura is located near a large Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community (our bus collects children from areas including Redfern, Glebe and Waterloo).
Our focus:
- We teach a culturally relevant curriculum.
- Wiradjuri language is taught at Gawura and in the St Andrew’s Cathedral School Junior School.
- Indigenous perspectives are taught in the classroom – connecting mainstream curriculum to Aboriginal history. Parents & Elders teach arts, crafts & culture.
- We teach in partnership with families and communities and empower parents to become part of their child’s education.
- Special events are celebrated throughout the year for example Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
- We provide pastoral care and mentoring for students and families.
- There are pathways and milestone support throughout and beyond school to universities & TAFE.
- We run the Gawura Volunteer Morning Reading Program each day with approximately 10 volunteers reading with K-6 students for 30 minutes.
Our Staff:
- There are now 10 Indigenous staff in Gawura.
- A full time Years 7-12 secondary mentor.
- Community liaison coordinator (part-time).
- A Wiradjuri language teacher who teaches in both Gawura and the Junior School of St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
