Yiramalay

Studio school

Open now

Years 10, 11 and 12

Yiramalay Studio School is a partnership between the Bunuba People and Studio Schools of Australia, and is located on Bunuba country, approximately 80km North of Fitzroy Crossing.

LIVING AND LEARNING AT

Yiramalay

Residential on-country

Learning at Yiramalay Studio School happens from eyes open to eyes shut.

To this end, every member of staff at Yiramalay is considered a member of the teaching staff; everyone has a role to play in facilitating opportunities for learning.

Hands-on learning

The unique context of Yiramalay Studio School provides a wide range of opportunities for students to engage with learning beyond the traditional classroom walls on site and with local community groups and businesses.

Two-way learning

Each Studio School has a partner school, creating opportunities for partner school students to spend time on country learning from their Indigenous friends, and Indigenous students experiencing time living and learning in Melbourne.

“When Yiramalay started in 2010, only 4 students had graduated Year 12 at Fitzroy Crossing District High School since the early 1950s when it began. But in just two years after opening, Yiramalay had 7 Year 12 graduates, and every year since, up to 15 students have completed Year 12 each year.”

Helen Drennen AM

Chief Executive of SSA

SENIOR YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK

The Studio Schools model is embedded in Indigenous culture and language.

The holistic framework balances academic, personal and industry/enterprise learning, in the unique cultural context of each Studio School.

Learning is integrated across the day with a focus on health and well-being.

Senior Years Learning Framework

Years 10, 11 and 12

4 Circles of learning

Indigenous Language and Culture

The mother circle of Indigenous Language and culture provides the context for all learning in SYLF. It is how students connect authentically to their familiar cultural knowledge, insights and practices that support their learning by affirming their sense of self and strengthening their self-efficacy as learners.

Academic 
Learning

The academic learning circle aims to support the intellectual development and future-readiness of students by engaging them in experiences that build their capacity to learn how to learn so that they can participate actively in their own learning for success.

Personal and 
Social Learning

The Studio School model helps students develop their own image of their future as Indigenous Australians, who feel confident in their knowledge and skills, and in their motivation to succeed.

Industry and Learning

Industry learning expectations range from foundational knowledge and understanding about the world of work and the skills and dispositions needed to maximise success, through to more advanced learning of industry specific knowledge and skills.

Yiramalay

Studio School Council

Ralph Green

Bunuba Traditional Owner, Cultural Mentor and Community Engagement Advisor

Kaylene Marr

Bunuba Traditional Owner, Artist, Yiramalay Senior Cultural Mentor

Estelle Bowman

Chair

Helen Drennen AM

CEO

Adele Gott

Principal Yiramalay

Selina Middleton

Bunuba Language & Culture Coordinator

Patsy Bedford

Specialist Bunuba Language Consultant