Yindyamarra

Yindyamarra is a Wiradjuri word* steeped with a lot of meaning:  to respect, to be gentle, to be polite, to honour and to do slowly. It is the philosophy behind all we do at Royal Far West School and is interwoven in our RFWS Star Strengths.

*Shared through the leadership of Professor Stan Grant Jnr, Director of Yindyamarra Nguluway

With around 28% of our students identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, our Aboriginal education officer, Aunty Caroline Glass-Pattison, plays a vital role acting as a bridge between families, communities and the school working to build respect, trust, inclusion, connection to Country and cultural safety for all students and staff.

Through her role, Aunty Caroline:

• supports Royal Far West clinical and school staff in deepening their cultural understanding;
• leads Connection Circles, creating culturally responsive and supportive spaces for students and families to share, reflect, and connect;
• is the Cultural support in the SWAY team;
• supports the  SWAY speech pathologists and teachers with ensuring content presented in the SWAY program, including mentoring, training and the educational content, is culturally appropriate and responsive. This also incudes outreach visits to communities, to maintain strong partnerships and cultural connections in collaboration with SWAY team.

The Yiran Birrang Room

Yiran Birrang means long journey and reminds us that although families’ time at RFWS is short, our connection doesn’t end when they go home. It is in this room, through yarning, storytelling, and listening to the voices of families and carers, we build trust and strengthen relationships.

(Yiran Birrang design by contemporary Wiradjuri artist Skye Burton, 2024)