Timeline

2005–2006

Planning begins with First Nations community leaders and educators to create a culturally grounded model of education.

2007

Gawura School opens in April with the first cohort of seven students.

First Head of Gawura School appointed, Mrs Cathy Miskovich.

Gawura Parents Advisory Committee (GPAC) established to ensure First Nations voice.

Participation in First community act – Coloured Diggers March, Redfern.

Vincent Fairfax Foundation – first foundation to support Gawura School.

2008

Head of Gawura School, Mr David North was appointed, leaving his executive teaching position at St Andrew’s Cathedral School

Gawura School bus – a dedicated bus service was introduced with Dennis Blewitt as the first bus driver. This service was foundational to student participation.

2011

Gawura School achieves registration through the NSW Board of Studies as a separate school to St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

Weekly one-on-one reading program commences with volunteers.

Ivor Rigney Sebastian was the First Gawura Scholarship holder to graduate, Year 12 from St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

2015

First Gawura School students to complete Year 12, Rachel and Georgia Durmush, at St Andrew’s Cathedral School.

2017

Head of School, John Ralph was appointed.

10-year anniversary celebrations. Song ‘Tarimi Nulay’ commissioned to honour cultural identity and belonging, performed by First Nations Opera Singer, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO.

2018

First On Country Tour to strengthen cultural learnings.

2019

First Gawura School student to complete K-12 pathway, Izak Rigney Sebastian, becoming the first ‘Ultimate Andrean’.

Gawura School joins the Waratah Project, a cross-sector initiative supporting independent schools to improve outcomes and wellbeing for First Nations students through culturally responsive practice.