Founders’ wisdom sparks vision for First Nations restoration

St Andrew’s Cathedral School launches Restoration Action Plan and First Nations Strategic Plan.

St Andrew’s Cathedral School proudly celebrates 140 years this year, with our First Nations school, Gawura School, being founded much more recently – in 2007. Gawura School sits within St Andrew’s Cathedral School and is a dedicated First Nations coeducational Kindergarten to Year 6 day school. In 2020 we were incredibly proud to announce that Gawura School was named Australian School of the Year. 

Gawura School was formed from the realisation that mainstream education was failing First Nations students – too many were falling between the cracks – and it was the system which was the problem, and not the children.  

Following fifteen years of Gawura School operating, and with much learning, the School Council and Foundation Board wanted to cast a future vision, encapsulated in a Strategic Plan. In particular, the executive team and Gawura School teaching staff wished to explore the tangible measures of successful First Nations education outcomes. In addition, The Voice to Parliament Referendum in 2023 had served to highlight the ongoing difficulties faced by First Nations people. These challenges were not immediately visible or understood by many of the School’s primary stakeholders.  

The development of the Restoration Action Plan 

Following the request for the Strategic Plan, the founders of Gawura School, Pastor Ray Minniecon and Sharon Minniecon, highlighted to the School’s leadership and School Council, that before the development of the Strategic Plan, the most appropriate path would be to first deliver a Reconciliation Action Plan. 

Nationally, the issue of how to address the historical wrongs, the ongoing impact of colonisation and intergenerational trauma for First Nations people is difficult. At a local school level, it’s also a complex topic. Those in the predominant culture tend not to see their own privilege, and the impact of intergenerational trauma can present in First Nations communities in many different forms – this can often be not seen, minimised, dismissed or misunderstood. Therefore, it was a necessary first step to examine, reflect and consider what meaningful progress might look like – together. 

In response to Pastor Ray and Sharon Minniecon’s leading, it was agreed that the School would first develop a Reconciliation Action Plan. This process was led by Ms Jackie Isenegger, Director of Strategy and Marketing. Following cultural training with the Association of Independent Schools, Jackie formed an internal working group. Crucially, this group was able to leverage the wisdom and experience of a number of First Nations staff: Aunty Leanna Carr-Smith, Elder in Residence and Wiradjuri language teacher, Pastor Ray Minniecon, Sharon Minniecon and John Ralph, Head of Gawura School. 

“The First Nations community have endured generations of trauma and it’s hard to fully comprehend the lasting impact that has on their community.”

“Starting out on this journey, I don’t think any of us realised how individually impactful it would be. I experienced a personal revelation, when I had to confront how blind I was to my own privilege. The First Nations community have endured generations of trauma and it’s hard to fully comprehend the lasting impact that has on their community. I have been incredibly blessed to work on this project,” said Jackie Isenegger. 

What does the Restoration Action Plan say? 

During a series of workshops, the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group came to understand that First Nations stakeholders didn’t feel the word ‘reconciliation’ was correct. The definition of reconciliation means to repair a relationship that’s been broken. Since there was no relationship to start with, ‘restoration’ was collectively viewed as a word that was much better at capturing the essence of what the group wanted to communicate. 

“Restoration offers hope for the next generation by laying a groundwork for a future where First Nations cultures, languages and lands are celebrated and protected.”

“Restoration offers hope for the next generation by laying a groundwork for a future where First Nations cultures, languages and lands are celebrated and protected. It envisions a society where young people, First Nations and non-Indigenous alike, can walk together in solidarity, understanding and respect,” said Paster Ray Minniecon. 

The Restoration Action Plan Working Group used the Uluru Statement from the Heart as their starting point. This document advocates a sequenced approach to achieving justice for First Nations peoples, beginning with truth telling. 

The Working Group co-designed the vision for Restoration, named A new story. The group came to the unanimous view that we would have to acknowledge that something was broken, before it could be fixed. A new story, plots a path from ‘Truth telling’ to ‘Recognition’, ‘Authentic healing’ to ‘Sacred space’, ‘A beacon of hope’ and ultimately to our motivation, in ‘Our faith’. 

Through the development of the Restoration Action Plan, three themes were adopted from the Narragunnawali Reconciliation Action Plan framework: ‘Relationships’, ‘Respect’ and ‘Opportunities’. This framework asks for us to plan actions in three significant areas: in the classroom, around the School and with the community.  

The development of the First Nations Strategic Plan 

The Working Group then turned their attention to developing the First Nations Strategic Plan, bolstered with the knowledge they had gained from developing the Restoration Action Plan. 

To support the process, Two Point Co., a First Nations consultancy was tasked with the development of an Insights Report and Aspirations Report. In addition, BMcD Consulting was appointed to survey and speak with non-Indigenous stakeholders.  

What does the First Nations Strategic Plan say? 

Following extensive stakeholder engagement, training, discussions and research, the First Nations Strategic Plan came to hold two central themes: Bridging Worlds and Building Futures. These twin themes underpin the entirety of the Plan: throughout our ‘People, culture and resources’, ‘Our practices’, ‘Our financial stewardship’ and ‘Our students and community’.  

The launch 

Together with the Restoration Action Plan, the First Nations Strategic Plan was launched to parents and students at the Evening of Celebration and Prize Giving on 5 December 2024. Community and donors received the documents at the Gawura Gathering on 28 March 2025. Following these events, the documents were distributed and discussed at a start-of-year Leaders’ Day, the staff Professional Development days at the beginning of Term 1 and at ‘Own Choice’ Cultural Awareness training conducted in Term 2.  

“Our First Nations partners have been extremely generous with their engagement. I’m proud of what both these documents say and the future they are building towards.”

“Our First Nations partners have been extremely generous with their engagement. I’m proud of what both these documents say and the future they are building towards,” said Dr Julie McGonigle, Head of School. 

What’s next? 

Following the development and launch of both documents, the School has identified a list of short, medium and long-term initiatives, some of which have already been actioned. 

Our hope is to continue to support our highly capable First Nations students – ensuring they are well prepared for their future, self-confident, standing strong in their culture, knowing their gifts and how to use them.  

The First Nations Strategic Plan is available on the website, and will shortly be joined by more material explaining the process and articulating measures, targets and initiatives. 

Our vision for the future 

The School’s hope is that the Restoration Action Plan will ignite a spark of change that builds momentum. We want to be a School and workplace known as a beacon of hope – showing it’s possible to create a better present, and future for everyone – regardless of their cultural background.