St Andrew’s Cathedral School and Gawura School acknowledge the Gadigal Clan as the traditional custodians of the land on which we stand and one of the 29 clans of the Eora Nation which is boarded by the Hawkesbury River to the north, the Nepean River to the west, and the Georges River to the south. We would also like to pay our respects to the Elders past, present, and emerging.
When planning first commenced, the task was to develop a Strategic Plan for Gawura School, our dedicated school for First Nations students, K-6. It became clear through the development of the Vision ‘Empowering confident hope-filled champions of a just tomorrow,’ and with input from our Restoration Action Plan, that the transition to secondary schooling at St Andrew’s Cathedral School was critical to not only individual First Nations student success beyond school, but also to the potential collective impact of all St Andrew’s Cathedral School students, regardless of cultural heritage, emerging with a deep commitment to restoration and national healing.
The Plan therefore became a First Nations Strategic Plan K-12, requiring both Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School combined, to achieve successful outcomes.
As our society struggles with the effects of an isolating individualism, these deep and complex First Nations Knowledge systems, just like the Christian story that our Schools are founded on, have much to say about human sustainment, our approach to technology, our relationship to the earth, our idea of the social world, as well as the importance of place, belonging and connectedness. What a rich heritage our students are offered, as we build bridges between culture and faith. I am excited about the future.
Mr Michael Winram
OA 1998 and Chair of School Council
Envisioning a bright future for First Nations students
The beautiful artwork created by Charmaine and Jason Mumbulla, parents of two students who attended Gawura School and have since transitioned to secondary schooling at St Andrew’s Cathedral School, shows a tree, growing and flourishing, embedded in faith and culture. In the Bible, trees are powerful symbols of life, strength and connection. Trees often represent growth, wisdom and resilience. CLICK THE HOT SPOTS TO FIND OUT MORE.
Strategic Themes – Bridging Worlds, Building Futures
For First Nations students, this symbolism resonates profoundly. Like trees, students require strong roots – cultural identity, family and community – along with the nourishment of Knowledge, a warm sense of belonging, and guidance to flourish. Hence, Bridging Worlds, Building Futures. Student success depends on a recognition of their unique strengths and aspirations, enabling them to reach their potential. CLICK THE HOT SPOTS TO FIND OUT MORE.
Strategy Map
CLICK ON THE ELEMENTS TO FIND OUT MORE.
Message from the Head of School
Our First Nations Strategic Plan represents a rich and expansive story for First Nations students at our School. It sees students rooted in their rich culture, and sustained and supported by community. It represents a vibrant learning journey where children become confident and capable individuals, who in turn can strengthen and support others.
The Plan focuses on ‘Bridging Worlds’ and ‘Building Futures.’ A bridge is a beautiful metaphor that relies on empathy and understanding, working against the divisions of our modern world. Of course, building a bridge is not straight-forward—truth-telling never is—but out of these important conversations come fresh perspectives and a better way forward, through peace and restoration. This is the hope for First Nations students at our Schools.
A dedicated working
group was formed
A small working group was formed to work closely with First Nations consultancy Two Point Co., a 100% Indigenous owned and staffed consultancy specialising in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, to develop a best practice, desktop research-based Insights Report, and the First Nations primary research that was a key input to the Aspirations Report.
The small working group drafted both the Enduring Purpose and the Vision for the School Council. This group consisted of Pastor Ray Minniecon, a proud Kabikabi and Gurang-Gurang man and Aunty Sharon Minniecon, born on Juru country, Ayr family from Torres Strait Island Ugar (Stephen Island) and South Sea Islander, Tanner Island, now both living on Gadigal Land; Aunty Leanna Carr-Smith a proud Wiradjuri woman from Bathurst, who was our Elder in Residence and Wiradjuri Teacher at the time; Pam Widders a proud Anaiwan woman, who was born and raised in Armidale, who was our Secondary School Aboriginal Mentor; John Ralph a proud Gumbayngirr man living on Gadigal land, Head of Gawura School; Rhonda Robson Deputy Head Junior School and Jackie Isenegger, Director of Strategy and Marketing.
Evidence informed strategic inputs
A range of strategic inputs were developed to inform strategy. The Insights Report from Two Point Co. highlighted elements of national and international best practice and was drawn from desktop research, a review of social policy and a school document analysis.
Another critical input to the strategy was the Aspirations Report. This report brought together trauma informed stakeholder input from First Nations students, staff, parents and alumni, alongside non-Indigenous stakeholder feedback from staff, parents, students, alumni, donors and community.
Strengths-based stakeholder engagement
Through culturally informed consultations, First Nations students, staff, parents, community members, and Founders shared their views on Gawura School’s current practices and future direction. Input was gathered via interviews, surveys, art therapy, and Yarning Circles, ensuring equitable participation was possible.
Non-Indigenous staff, executive leaders, and Board members also contributed. Insights from all stakeholders were combined into the Insights and Aspirations Report, which informed strategy workshops with the Gawura Strategic Plan Working Group, fostering ongoing, meaningful engagement and reflection across both Schools.
An accountable approach
to strategy
The Balanced Scorecard methodology was selected to align with the existing St Andrew’s Cathedral School Strategic Plan. This “strategy on a page” has proven successful in reviewing and tracking progress regularly, in line with initiatives and operational plans. This enhances transparency and accountability to key supporters, such as our donors and corporate partners.
Meet the team
A dedicated, cross functional team of non-Indigenous and First Nations teaching staff and support and operational staff worked together with external partners to bring important insights to light and co-design the Strategic Plan. The ongoing work of improving outcomes for First Nations students though rests with all of us – teaching and support and operational staff, parents, community, donors, School Council and the Executive. These are some of the people involved in that important work.
John Ralph
Head of Gawura School
Jackie Isenegger
Director, Strategy & Marketing
Pastor Ray Minniecon
Co-Founder of Gawura School and School Council member
Aunty Sharon Minniecon
Co-Founder of Gawura School
Lyn Jarvis
Director, Community Engagement
Dr Kirsten Macaulay
Deputy Head, Quality Teaching – K ‑ 12
Bindi Jarvis
HSIE Teacher
Ana Roy-McGrath
Emma Walker
Secondary School Aboriginal Mentor
Marita Cranwell
Donor Relations Manager
