St Andrew's Cathedral School (SACS) has overcome barriers of racial prejudice to create a school that hopes to reach the city's Aboriginal children.
SACS Head of School, Phillip Heath says the journey of finding an appropriate campus for the new Gawura School was a challenging one which took him to more than 12 different sites.
"There was some prejudice against what we wanted to do, which happens when trying to work on commercial sites," Mr Heath says.
"People don't like children, and don't believe having children nearby is a good idea. My view is there was also anti-indigenous sentiment."
When the new school term starts next Monday, five indigenous children will experience a unique educational program as they meet at the Gawura campus within the grounds of SACS.
The Gawura School will teach students Aboriginal language and culture, basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Mr Heath says it was important that an Anglican school in the city use its resources to support indigenous education.
"As a Christian institution we believe it is a matter of national conscience that we should be participating in a ministry such as this," Mr Heath says.
"We want to really reach people in this part of Sydney and provide a flagship for the way forward in doing indigenous education around the country."
Mr Heath who has been liaising with Crossroads Aboriginal Ministries Director, Ray Minniecon, for the past 12 months, says he only wanted to support the new school if it was solidly Christian.
"We wanted to offer Christian education that delivers good academic outcomes," he says.
Major indigenous impact
Ray Minniecon, says the burden of indigenous education has been on his people's shoulders for the last 50,000 years.
"Gawura has given us an incredible opportunity within an urban environment to educate our young people. This partnership with SACS is the best you could ever get in terms of the future education of our kids," he says.
The Gawura campus will have a maximum capacity of 25 children to maintain the small community feel and give each student close attention.
Guwara students will receive culturally specific education from the morning to the middle of the day and then will join with the rest of the school for afternoon classes and combined activities like sport.
Mr Minniecon hopes this will be the start of more Gawura campuses throughout the city of Sydney. Mr Minniecon has also been elected onto the SACS council.
"There are a lot of Aboriginals who identify with Christianity, so it is hugely important to bring these values to our educational system. God has always been a part of our history and he will be a part of our future too," he says.
The power of Gawura
Sharon Minniecon, wife of Mr Minniecon, suggested the name Gawura, according to Mr Heath.
"The whale is a powerful symbol of endurance, grace and strength and in the Jonah story it's how God saved a nation," Mr Heath says.
Mr Heath is pleased with the final result of having Gawura on the SACS site and says it will help the Cathedral effectively reach its city community including the Redfern and Waterloo areas.
"We want to really reach people in that part of Sydney and provide a flagship for the way forward in doing indigenous education around the country."
