A Townsville independent Christian school which specialises in education for children from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, is expanding. Student numbers at Carinity Education Shalom rose by nearly a quarter over the past year. They’ve tripled since the school opened in 2019.
The school which was formerly known as Shalom Christian College, was set to close before it was acquired by Carinity. It has added one new student grade each year since opening and will welcome its first Year-12 cohort next year.
A $2.15 million building project has renovated the science centre and general learning areas. Executive Manager of Carinity Educational Services, Christine Hill, said as well as new classroom spaces, the upgraded facilities include three withdrawal rooms, a teachers’ work room and a storeroom. Three covered outdoor learning areas have also been constructed with classroom furniture and equipment supplied.
“With around 90% of students identifying as First Nations Australians, Carinity Education Shalom provides a culturally sensitive and supportive learning environment for young people,” said Ms. Hill, adding that: “The school also offers free extra support services focused on assisting families and maintaining student health and well-being.”
Principal Sharyn Ive declared: “Our school’s vision is to create a community where students are loved, accepted and supported to reach their full potential. All the staff know each child by name, and our priority is to maintain a culturally safe, secure environment where all children experience belonging. Our approach to teaching ensures our students are learning in a supportive environment, meeting the cultural, emotional and spiritual needs of each individual child.”
The school’s website declares: “At Shalom we are committed to providing an inclusive approach to education and improving the academic, spiritual and cultural outcomes for all students in our care. We believe that culture and community is integral to the academic, spiritual and social development of our students. We approach learning from a Christian perspective, looking after the whole child, not just their education.”
Photo supplied by Carinity
