Two paths strong for Aboriginal led education in Coffs Harbour

Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) is proud to announce the official opening of Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS), the first bilingual Aboriginal school in NSW.

Clark Webb, a Gumbaynggirr man, BMNAC Founder and Executive Officer, said the school was an important step in accelerating the BMNAC vision to enrich the learning experience through Gumbaynggirr worldview, language and pedagogy.

“We believe that when our children are strong in their identity - they engage much better in learning. Our work is grounded in building the cultural identities, strengths and learning capacities of our students so they are best positioned and supported to achieve education excellence.

“The Gumbaynggirr Giingana school is an expansion of the work we have been doing in our community for the past decade. I’m incredibly excited as we realise this dream and grateful for the support of our community, partner organisations and sponsors who have chosen to walk this journey with us,” said Mr Webb.

Located at Coffs Harbour TAFE’s Glenreagh Street Campus, the school caters for students from K- 2 with 13 children currently enrolled in 2022, with plans to eventually grow to K-6. GGFS is centered around Gumbaynggirr language and culture, quality teaching based on Gumbaynggirr values and philosophies, embedded with strong community and parent engagement.

The GGFS is the first bilingual School of an Aboriginal language in NSW and is committed to striving for academic excellence among all students by developing and implementing innovative practices through language and education.

The school receives financial support through the NSW Government and philanthropic partners the Paul Ramsay Foundation, through the Learning Lives, Strengthened in Culture program.

Professor Glyn Davis, AC, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, said financial investment was helping to support the community vision for Aboriginal led education.

“We are proud to support Gumbaynggirr Giingana school to enrich the work they’ve been doing within the North Coast Aboriginal community for a number of years, seeing the school provide a culturally strong and safe environment for the Gumbaynggir language to thrive in,” said Prof. Davis.

BMNAC is a not-for-profit that was established in 2010 on the north coast of NSW in Coffs Harbour. BMNAC’s footprint extends to the Nambucca Valley in the south and Grafton in the north, this engages more than 500 people in cultural and educational programs annually.

BMNAC launched with the introduction of two after school programs Goori Learning Centres (GLCs) at Wongala Estate Aboriginal Reserve and Woolgoolga High School.

The purpose of the GLCs program is for Aboriginal students to engage in their culture through Gumbaynggirr language and cultural lessons and improve literacy and numeracy.

BMNAC values and purpose demonstrate the ‘two path strong’ motto; encouraging youth to be strong in culture and strong in education.