New school for indigenous kids

Aboriginal dancers perform at the official launch of the Hymba Yumba Community Hub.

David Nielsen

A NEW indigenous-focused school will open in Ipswich next year with about 80 students already signed up.

The Hymba Yumba Community Hub will be built at Springfield, with construction starting early next year.

Students will be based at a temporary site for the first half of the year while the school on Springfield Parkway is being built.

School officials were joined by community members and politicians including Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan at the turning of the first sod at the school site on Saturday.

Uncle Albert Holt, chair of the Searchlight Education group behind the school, said it was a called a community hub because it will have a range of extra services.

Mr Holt said the Prep to Year 12 college will have a crèche, vocational education services, accommodation and cultural lessons from indigenous elders.

“Our aim is to cater for 300 students. I feel that within 12-18 months we’ll have at least 200 students,” he said.

Hymba Yumba principal Colleen Mitrow said the school would be open to anyone in the community.

“Hymba Yumba is founded in the wisdom and precepts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, however all young people, regardless of culture, religion and socio-economic position are welcome at this school,” she said.

Mr Swan praised the co-operation between the school, Springfield Land Corporation and all levels of government for get- ting the project up and running.

 For more information on the school, visit www.hymbayumba.qld.edu.au