Alongside the Gawura School learning spaces that honour First Nations cultures, students access the outstanding facilities and services of St Andrew’s Cathedral School. Gawura School also provides students and families with practical support such as a dedicated bus route to and from school.
Our facilities
At Gawura School, the classrooms and learning spaces value and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identities, histories and cultures.
From starting the day with an Acknowledgment of Country, to using AIATSIS maps representing the language, social and nation groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples across Australia; through visits from First Nations Elders and mentors; the use of First Nations curriculum resources; the display of First Nations art and murals (created by Gawura School alumni); and classrooms named in the Sydney language – the original broad and interconnected language spoken across the Sydney basin – Gawura School students are grounded in strong, proud histories and heritage.
Students also enjoy the purpose-built learning environment and outstanding facilities of St Andrew’s Cathedral School.
This includes:
- State of the art science and technology spaces
- World class music and performing art spaces
- Access to cultural centres and sporting venues across the city.
- Chapel and assemblies in historic Chapter House or beautiful St Andrew’s Cathedral.
- Kirrikee, Outdoor Education Centre in the Southern Highlands.
Transport
Gawura School provides a dedicated, free bus service for its students. The optional bus service is only for Gawura School families and is an important way the School supports students to be at school on time each day.
The bus picks up students from certain collection points within a radius of 3km from the Redfern Community Centre. The bus route, as much as is possible, will incorporate the needs of families by finding a safe area to pick up and drop off students near their homes, however this will always be dependent upon conforming to traffic regulations. Families who live outside the radius are asked to take their child to a pick-up point within the radius, such as the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) in Redfern or Waterloo.
An Opal Card is not required to travel on the Gawura School Bus. However, students are encouraged to keep a student Opal Card in their school bag, as they may occasionally need to use public transport if they stay back for after-school activities. Students who remain for co-curricular activities will need to make their own travel arrangements. In most cases, they are picked up later by their parents.
Gawura School has two bus drivers, one of which is an Elder, who work on different days each week. Parents are provided with the drivers’ mobile phone numbers so they can communicate absences with the driver, or ask about upcoming events or excursions.
For families living outside the bus pick up area, Gawura School is still easy to access. As part of St Andrew’s Cathedral School, it is located directly above Town Hall station, a major transport hub with train connections across the entire Sydney rail network. The School is also well served by multiple bus routes and the Sydney Metro.
“The kids are good to be around, and I love seeing the kids grow up. That’s the best part of my job.”
Gawura Bus Driver, Uncle Bill
Uniform
Our Gawura School students wear their uniform with pride. School uniform is compulsory for all students when travelling to and from school, during school hours, and at school functions.
In addition to the usual school uniform, Gawura School has a special Indigenous cultural shirt, which is currently being designed with art contributions made by students. It has been designed in collaboration with students and parents by a First Nations Artist, Amy Allerton, from Indigico Creative, with approval and warm endorsement from our local Metro Land Council. The new shirt will be worn on cultural excursion days and On Country tours.
With thanks to our generous donors, the cost of all school uniform items is included in a Gawura First Nations Scholarship.
After school and vacation care
After school care operates each afternoon from 3.10pm to 6.30pm in the rooftop classroom. It is run by TheirCare. They also run vacation care during school holidays.
Parents can book these services online via the TheirCare website. There is a fee and families claim back a portion. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families who qualify may be eligible for a reduced out of pocket cost per session.
For more information contact the Customer Service Team at TheirCare on 1300 072 410 or visit the TheirCare website or read the information flyer.
