When you support or donate to the Gawura Scholarship Fund, you join an interconnected circle of students, parents, carers, Elders, alumni and community, alongside teachers and mentors who offer strong, supportive relationships combined with high expectations, in order to strengthen First Nations learners.
It takes courage to walk proudly in different worlds. Since 2007, we’ve been building an inspiring learning environment for First Nations students, a close community where First Nations knowledges, histories, and languages are valued, and strong relationships built on care and high expectations have enabled our students to grow in confidence.
Our Schools engage in truth-telling, acknowledging the injustices of the past and the present; and the enduring burden of intergenerational trauma for First Nations peoples. In 2024, Gawura School and St Andrew’s Cathedral School launched a joint Restoration Action Plan (RAP) and First Nations K-12 Strategic Plan. Read about our Schools’ joint commitment to restoration and healing.
Our approach
Many First Nations students arrive at school already facing significant educational disadvantage, with lower household income, lower levels of parental formal education, and fewer educational resources at home. These are all barriers that can impact learning long before a child enters the classroom.
On average, a Gawura School Kindergarten student begins school already 18 months behind NSW Kindergarten student averages, and three years behind a St Andrew’s Cathedral School Junior School Kindergarten student.
The education gap exists on day one.
The Gawura Scholarship Fund responds to the lasting impacts of the Stolen Generations, including educational disadvantage, intergenerational trauma, and loss of cultural knowledge, through sustained support from Kindergarten to Year 12.
Our Scholarships support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through a unique coeducational day school journey starting in Gawura School, from Kindergarten to Year 6, through to St Andrew’s Cathedral School from Year 7 to Year 12, as it aligns with a student’s aspirations.
Driven by central beliefs in the infinite worth and unique gifts of each child, expert teachers combine high expectations with strong, caring and culturally respectful relationships, that encourage students’ belief in themselves as learners.
Our approach brings together cultural and community connection, academic excellence, and learning and wellbeing support. Grounded in a collaborative community of students, families, teachers, Elders, mentors and the broader Schools’ community, the environment is created to support First Nations students to bridge the learning gap and walk successfully in two worlds.
“High expectations, strong student and community relationships, high-quality teaching and teachers, embedded First Nations perspectives and values, and targeted support for First Nations students all contribute to strong outcomes for students on Gawura First Nations Scholarships.”
John Ralph, Head of Gawura School
Long-term change is built through sustained investment, trusted relationships and shared commitment. Through partner and donor funding of Scholarships and programmes, First Nations students have access to an education that creates the foundation for a future filled with possibility.
- From Kindergarten to Year 6 – intensive literacy and numeracy focus.
- Very small class sizes in K-6, enabling targeted instruction, faster intervention, deeper teacher-student relationships.
- Personalised learning plans with continuous assessment and adjustment.
- One-on-one reading support for literacy and comprehension.
- Co-curricular activities – music, tours, camps, sport and events that include parents/carers and community.
- Speech therapy, occupational therapy support at school.
- Access to medical, dental, optometry.
- Counselling, mentoring and wellbeing support – First Nations Mentor, Community Liaison Officer.
- Tutoring and Homework Club in Secondary School.
- Daily breakfast club.
- Nourishing lunches, when needed.
- Dedicated bus service that supports school attendance.
- First Nations Knowledges integrated into the curriculum.
- Weekly First Nations dance lessons with Elder.
- Cultural learning excursions and incursions.
- On Country experiences and tours.
- Cultural awareness training for staff.
- Celebration across both Schools of culturally important days including NAIDOC.
- Direct parent access to teachers.
- Strong relationships with families and community.
- Active family participation.
- Practical family support removing non-academic barriers to learning – hampers, breakfast.
- Gawura First Nations Scholarships are for the long-term. We can offer a 13-year educational journey, if that aligns with student and family aspirations.
- Pathways can include TAFE subjects while studying at school.