Gilibaa Shines Bright: Named One of Australia's Most Innovative Schools in Its Opening Year

It is with immense joy and gratitude that we share this incredible achievement: St Philip's Christian College Gilibaa has been named one of Australia's Most Innovative Schools for 2024 by The Educator.

This prestigious recognition is more than just a title—it celebrates the heart and dedication of our students, staff, families and Elders who make Gilibaa such a unique and special place. Gilibaa means 'the place of light', and that light shines brightly through every aspect of our community, guiding our journey together. 

A Place of Cultural Immersion and Academic Excellence

At Gilibaa, we are not just focused on academic achievements; we are deeply invested in creating a culturally supportive learning environment where each students feel valued and empowered. Our approach is rooted in the belief that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage is not only celebrated, but woven into the tapestry of our students' education. 

Through the Four Pillars of Culture: Land, Language, Story and People, we offer a bicultural environment where students can connect with local Worimi Country, and embrace the Gathang language—developing a profound understanding of their cultural identity, all while excelling in literacy and numeracy. 

Cultural Stories Inspire Learning

A beautiful example of this integration comes from a lesson based on the story of Wayila, the Storm Bird. Students immersed themselves in this traditional tale, imagining the magnificent yellow-tailed black cockatoos soaring through the skies—almost feeling the cool rain the story brings to life. 

As part of their learning, students illustrate the cockatoos with intricate detail and count tokens symbolising the twelve fires ignited by the birds, noting how ten were extinguished. They carefully map where these fires burned on Worimi and Wonnarua Country—creating a tangible connection to the land and the rich heritage of the story. 

This approach allows students to meeting learning outcomes in Geography and English, while strengthening their understanding of culture, community, and identity. This is just one example of the exemplar pedagogy that saw us named one of Australia's most innovative schools. 

Looking Ahead

We are truly humbled by this recognition, but more than anything—we are grateful for the amazing students, families and staff who make Gilibaa a place where culture and education thrive together. This moment of success is not just for us—it's for every person who has contributed to our journey. Thank you to the families who trust us with their children's education, the Elders who share their wisdom, and the entire Gilibaa community that continues to shine brightly. 

As we look to the future, our commitment remains unwavering: to continue creating a bicultural learning environment where students are not only academically successful but are also planted in their culture and prepared to become leaders, change-makers, and proud representatives of their heritage. 

At Gilibaa, every step forward is a step toward a brighter, more inclusive future for all our students, where culture, faith and learning come together in a place of light.