Aboriginal Education
At Irrawang High School we strive to provide the very best educational outcomes, experiences and opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
Acknowledgement of Country in Gathang
(Language of the Worimi People)
Guudji yiigu, nyiirun Irrawang Ngarralbaa,
Nyura marala yiigu, Warrimayga Barrayga
Barraba Ngarralgal, Bingay, Ngariin, Nyura
Yii Warrimayguba Barray, wanyimbu, wanyimbu
Nyiirun gathay wakulda
Welcome, we are Irrawang Place of listening, knowing
You have all come to/on Worimi Country
My Elders, Elder Brothers, Elder Sisters, Everybody
This country is Worimi Country, always, always
Let us go together.
I would like to acknowledge the Worimi people the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land on which we stand. I would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present and future, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal people present today.
Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre
Irrawang High School’s Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Centre team (ALEC) strives to provide the very best educational outcomes, experiences and opportunities for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
We aim to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attaining Year 12 while maintaining their cultural identity.
The Centre is built on a foundation of solid and authentic relationships where trust, respect and honesty are valued and are at the core of all we do. We spend time engaging with individual students to develop relationships where students feel comfortable working with us to identify and overcome any barriers to their learning.
Our school works in strong partnership with the Youyoong AECG and the programs offered, support our commitment to providing exemplary educational outcomes for every student. Our school has a strong tradition to raise awareness and participate in significant cultural events including Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and Harmony Day.
We aim to increase the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attaining Year 12 while maintaining their cultural identity.
The Centre is built on a foundation of solid and authentic relationships where trust, respect and honesty are valued and are at the core of all we do. We spend time engaging with individual students to develop relationships where students feel comfortable working with us to identify and overcome any barriers to their learning.
Our school works in strong partnership with the Youyoong AECG and the programs offered, support our commitment to providing exemplary educational outcomes for every student. Our school has a strong tradition to raise awareness and participate in significant cultural events including Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and Harmony Day.
The primary aims of our Aboriginal education programs are to:
· improve literacy and numeracy
· target educational strategies at individual needs
· increase parent participation in school activities
· provide targeted pathways to higher education through traineeships
· increase participation by senior students in either further education or employment
· improve teacher knowledge of the educational, cultural and social needs of students
· work collaboratively with the Youyoong AECG
Current Programs + Events
- AECG & Junior AECG
- Junior AECG Leadership & STEM Camps
- Write it Right with Murrook Education Team
- NRL School 2 Work with Zoe Khan
- ABCN: Accelerate and Aspirations Programs
- Careerlinks: Yakka Intro to Work Program
- Koori Colours: Aboriginal Art Program with Jason + Kerry Russell
- Winanga-y Dreaming Girls Mentoring Program with Kristy Faulkner
- Ngarralbaa Dance Group
- Ngura Wubaliyn Aboriginal Education Hub
- Bangarra Dance School Workshop
- Deadly Science Workshops
- Wollatuka: Numeracy Gala Day (McDonald Jones Stadium)
- Wollatuka: Year 10 Emerging Day at Callaghan Campus
- Wollatuka: iBelieve, iDream & iSucceed Programs
- PCYC Port Stephens: Fitness and Self Defence Programs
Community Partnerships
- Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG)
- The Wollatuka Institute
- Murrook Education Team
- Clontarf Foundation
- Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Centre (PsFANS)
- Warlga Ngurra Women and Children's Refuge
- Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation Raymond Terrace
- PCYC Port Stephens
- Hunter New England Kids Health Add information
Aboriginal Learning and Engagement Team - Pictured from left: Mr O'Connor, Ms Lilley, Mr Wallace
Irrawang High School Clontarf Academy
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so equips them to participate meaningfully in society.
Everything we do here at the Irrawang Clontarf Academy, is guided by Clontarf’s 6 focus Pillars in the areas of - EDUCATION, WELL-BEING, LEADERSHIP, SPORT, PARTNERS & EMPLOYMENT.
Each school term plan, consists of activities and opportunities that cover all areas underpinning our Foundation Pillars of which have been a major influence in the overall plan. As a result, a solid platform has been laid and leads to our continued success and growth over the past 21 years, from the first academy at Clontarf in Perth. There are now 131 Clontarf academies nationwide, which is reflected in our motto “From little things big things grow”.
We strive to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander boys to get them to school, keep them at school, get them through school to graduation in Year 12 and then into meaningful employment.
At Irrawang Clontarf, our staff want the best possible outcomes for all our boys. We aim to work within a whole of school framework, to assist in achieving these goals to ensure they leave school with good life skills and as work ready and prepared as possible to actively participate not only in their own communities but in society in general.
At Clontarf we have an open-door policy for parents/carers to drop in for a yarn and a cuppa to get to know us and to get a better insight into what we can do to assist their boys here at Irrawang High School.
The IHS Clontarf Team
Mitch Gray is the IHS Clontarf Director and recently moved from Townsville, North Queensland. This is his fifth year with Clontarf. He previously worked at both Townsville State High School and Kirwan State High School Clontarf Academies.
Operations Officer Dan Constable has been at IHS for three years and at Hunter River High School for two years.
Operations Officer Jarred Rotumah was previously working with Clontarf at Kurri Kurri High School.
All the team love the interaction with the boys, giving them reasons to come to school everyday and seeing them graduate at the end of Year 12. The team provide a vital link between the families and the school, adding another layer of support.
The Clontarf team provide many opportunites, with camps, sporting events, and vast links to the business community to assist the students with work placement and work experience.
Pictured from left: Mitch, Daniel and Jarred
