The Waratah Project

Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

The Waratah Project supports schools in developing and implementing strategies to improve the academic and wellbeing outcomes of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Forty day and boarding schools from across NSW are currently involved in this project.

The Waratah Outcomes Framework helps schools develop a culturally safe and inclusive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by focusing on:

  • improved outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
  • strengthened and culturally informed relationships between key stakeholders, families and community members
  • engaged, supportive and culturally competent school staff
  • whole-school integration of Indigenous culture.

This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Choice and Affordability Fund.

The Waratah Framework

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Additional Resources & Reports

The Waratah Project School Case Studies

Barker College

Strengthened relationships and pride in Indigenous culture and heritage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students: Yarn Up at Barker College

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Calrossy Anglican School

Improved literacy, numeracy, and other academic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Calrossy Anglican School

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Casino Christian School

Strengthened connection to and pride in Indigenous culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students: Mural project at Casino Christian School

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Canberra Grammar School

Strengthened connection to and pride in Indigenous culture and heritage in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Canberra Grammar School

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Casino High School

Staff have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to implement culturally responsive pedagogical practices: 8 Aboriginal Ways of Learning at Casino High School

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Kinross Wolaroi School

Improved literacy, numeracy, and other academic outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Kinross Wolaroi School

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Kempsey Adventist School

Pedagogy is changed to create learning experiences that engage students: Project Based Learning (PBL) at Kempsey Adventist School

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Knox Grammar School

Strengthened cultural identity and pride in Indigenous culture and heritage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Knox Grammar School

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Loreto Normanhurst

Indigenous culture and perspectives are acknowledged, valued, and integrated into curriculum and school life at Loreto Normanhurst: Community space and Art program

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Macleay Vocational College

Improved literacy and numeracy engagement for First Nations students through a whole school approach: Macleay Vocational College runs programs and activities for engaged learning.

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Macquarie Anglican Grammar School

Strengthened and culturally informed relationships between key stakeholders at Macquarie Anglican Grammar School: Aboriginal Education and Engagement role

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MidCoast Christian College

Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students’ literacy, numeracy, and other academic outcomes at MidCoast Christian College

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Narromine Christian School

Creating a platform that shares and celebrates Aboriginal Stories of history, culture and achievement. Co-constructed mural at Narromine Christian School.

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Pymble Ladies’ College

School Leadership are engaged, supportive and committed to improving outcomes for Indigenous students: Pymble Ladies’ College

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Saint Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill

Students experience a successful transition from school to further education and employment: Post-School Program at Saint Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill

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Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview

Improved literacy and numeracy outcomes for First Nations students at Saint Ignatius’ College, Riverview: Targeted literacy and numeracy intervention programs

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The Scots College

Supporting a positive and successful transition into school and the boarding environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at The Scots College

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Shore

Improved educational, cultural, and emotional support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at Shore: Student Support Counsellor role and Koori Club

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Project Focus Areas - School Vignettes

The Waratah Framework includes 10 outcome areas, ranging from understanding and supporting the individual student through to engagement of school leadership in driving whole school change.

The following clips provide a range of insights and learnings from our schools covering the journey and impact of The Waratah Project, not only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, but also for staff, students and the wider school community.

Waratah Pilot Project: Improving Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

The Waratah Project builds on the Improving Outcomes project which began in 2016 as a 2-year pilot program. AISNSW invited four schools to identify strategies to improve the academic outcomes of their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students.
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