Two paths strong for Aboriginal-led education in Coffs Harbour

Photos by Haidee Allan and supplied by BMNAC

On Thursday the 7th of April, Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) officially opened the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS), the first bilingual Aboriginal school in NSW.

Located at Coffs Harbour TAFE’s, Glenreagh Street Campus, the school caters for students from K-2 with 13 children currently enrolled in 2022, and plans to eventually grow to K-6. The school is centered around language and culture and quality teaching based on Gumbaynggirr values and philosophies, embedded with strong community and parent engagement.

Clark Webb, a Gumbaynggirr man, BMNAC Founder and Executive Officer, said the school was an important step in accelerating the BMNAC vision to enrich the learning experience through Gumbaynggirr worldview, language and pedagogy.The school received funding from Paul Ramsay Foundation, through the ‘Learning Lives, Strengthened in Culture’ program. Professor Glyn Davis, AC, CEO of the Paul Ramsay Foundation, said financial investment was helping to support the community vision for Aboriginal-led education.

Congratulations Clark and the team at BMNAC on an amazing launch and for continuing to be leaders in Aboriginal language for the community.