A Townsville school specialising in education for children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds is flourishing after Carinity saved it from closure.
Shalom Christian College was set to fold before being acquired by Carinity in late 2018.
The school re-opened last year with around 70 children enrolled from Prep to Year 7.
Due to increasing demand for the school’s educational model, student numbers have swelled to more than 100 for the 2020 academic year.
Shalom Christian College Principal Sharyn Ive says the independent, co-educational school at Condon provides a culturally safe and supportive learning environment for students, most of whom are Indigenous.
“At Shalom Christian College we are committed to providing an inclusive approach to education and improving the academic, spiritual and cultural outcomes for all students in our care,” Sharyn says.
“We promote a school-wide positive behaviour framework, ‘The Shalom Way’, to drive student success in a welcoming, safe and supportive environment.”
Shalom Christian College expanded in 2020 to include classes for Year 8 students and will progressively introduce more secondary year levels in the coming years.
“Shalom’s curriculum provides a balanced approach ensuring learning is in a supportive environment, meeting the emotional and creative needs of the individual child,” Sharyn says.
The school also aims to provide a range of extra support services focused on assisting families, as well as maintaining the health and well-being of students and families.
This includes daily breakfast for students, buses to and from school and programs to develop proactive student behaviours and build positive relationships within their community.
Sharyn is proud that Shalom Christian College has helped students develop into positive role models for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Past students of the school have included hip-hop musician and 2019 Young Australian of the Year, Danzel Baker – who performs under the name Baker Boy – and GWS Giants AFLW player Delma Gisu.
“At Shalom Christian College we’re not just about students achieving academic goals – it’s about them achieving all their goals,” Sharyn says.
Carinity Education also operates four special-assistance secondary schools at campuses in Gladstone, Hervey Bay, Rockhampton and Brisbane.
