Stewart House School

Changing Children's lives since 1931

Telephone02 9938 3822

Emailstewarthou-s.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Aboriginal support

Approximately 30% of the students who attend Stewart House School identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. 

Our Aboriginal Education Officer, Jack Hickey, is a Gamilaraay man from Quirindi NSW. Jack supports all students within the 6 classes during their stay through Language and Culture. Song is also consistently weaved into the program. Strong foundations are established highlighting sense of place, identity and belonging that underpin student pride.

Within our school, we aim to establish understanding of the diversity between hundreds of nations covering this continent, acknowledging country and the very first footprints on this nation belonging to First Nations peoples. Drawing from each other’s experiences in open conversation, we recognise culture in our vicinities and create a space for students to ask hard questions about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. 

Followed by ancient instruments, Yidaki (Didgeridoo), clap sticks and singing new songs in Gamilaraay, we reaffirm that we are culturally and spiritually connected to country and that for us, this nation's story began at the dawn of time. Utilising our bush tucker garden, yarning circle and South Curl Curl Beach, students gain a perspective on caring for Country through learning about animals, habitats, plants, kinship relations, land formations and exploring ways to uplift our environment. ​