Culunga Aboriginal Community School
Culunga Aboriginal Community
School is situated approximately 20kms northeast of Perth’s CBD. Nestled
amongst natural, bush surroundings in the heart of the Swan Valley region,
Culunga provides a culturally inclusive learning program for all of its
students.
Culunga Aboriginal Community School, originally known as the Guildford
Education Centre, began with ten high school students and was established in
1981 at St Charles Seminary. The Aboriginal community with the support of the
Catholic nuns initiated the means to start a culturally appropriate school.
Culunga continued to stay within the Catholic Schools’ educational system for
over a decade.
In 1988, the school moved to its present location at West Swan, on land
purchased by the Catholic Archbishop of Perth which was identified as an ancient
camping ground, of the Nyoongar community. The school was named ‘Culunga
Catholic Aboriginal School’ and the motto of school became: ‘The children of the
Earth and the Sun.’
In 1993, in the Year of Indigenous People, the Nyoongar Aboriginal Community
took over the entire management and re-named the school as ‘Culunga Aboriginal
Community School.’ Since then, Culunga Aboriginal Community Corporation
consisting of parents and community members has been the major decision makers
of the school.
The school buildings comprise of an administrative block with a staffroom,
principal’s office, reception and health room; three separate modules connected
by walkways house pre-primary to year ten classrooms, an art room and a separate
room as the library. The pre-primary students enjoy playing games in an
enclosed area equipped with all facilities. A combined
basketball/netball/tennis court and an oval are available to the primary and
secondary students for their sport activities.
The school has an enrolment of 116 students and they come from a wide catchment
within the metropolitan area, stretching from Armadale and Gosnells, to
Girrawheen, Swan View, Midvale, Bassendean and Bayswater.
The current staff consists of a teaching principal, four full-time and two
part-time teachers, an accountant, three Indigenous Education Officers, three
bus drivers, a cleaner and a gardener. The staff salaries are paid according to
the Independent Schools’ Award of Western Australia.
The school program is outcome based and all the learning areas of the Western
Australian Curriculum Framework are included. The whole school focus is on
improving literacy and numeracy and the reading program; known as “Scaffolding
Literacy” has been adopted by Culunga. Teachers favour an integrated theme
approach in the classrooms and they endeavour to work closely with Indigenous
Education Officers, community members, parents and caregivers in order to assist
the students achieve and develop their full potential.
Culunga has an active school based volunteer program and these volunteers
support the students, under the guidance of the teachers. Recognised
diagnostic, formative and summative evaluations are being used in the classrooms
and these quantitative and qualitative assessments, measure the students’
progress.
Information technology is an important focus of the school and every classroom
has been equipped with computers to assist with curriculum related applications
and information. All classroom computers are networked and in addition a room
for computer lessons is available to all students.
Nyoongar history and culture has always been a part of the ethos of the school
and has been integrated into the curriculum. A Nyoongar elder teaches language
and culture to all students. Students are invited to participate in cultural
activities such as dance and didgeridoo playing. Art education is another
important part of Culunga’s curriculum and students have the opportunity to
participate in pottery making, art and design. Modelling and martial art
classes are conducted by specialist teachers to raise the self-esteem of the
students.
To improve the health of the children and their attendance and retention rate at
school, as well as to promote the educational outcomes, a free breakfast program
has been established. Also, students take part in a weekly sports program,
developing their skills in a range of areas, at a local recreation centre.
Culunga Aboriginal Community School enables Indigenous people to gather together
and produce a positive cultural environment. By providing a strong social,
cultural and educational environment in which Aboriginal people significantly
direct the school and act as role models, it is hoped to encourage students to
further their education and take up a range of career opportunities that a good
education offers. In this positive environment, children are able to achieve a
much sounder academic background, enabling them to choose their own future from
a wide range of options. Culunga is committed to developing a strong
understanding of cultural identity, spirituality and a sense of pride.
Culunga Aboriginal Community School
104 Harrow Road
WEST SWAN WA 6055
ph: (08) 9250 1214
fax: (08) 9274 3233
email: culunga@iinet.net.au
Principal: Mr Darryl Eades
Chairperson: Mr Roland Bartlett
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