Sandra* wept when her daughter received an academic achievement award in her first year at her new school. “Her ability to re-engage and thrive after years of struggle in mainstream schools brought tears to my eyes,” she said.
Sandra was speaking at the official launch of MacKillop Education Waranara School last week in Sydney. In October 2024 the school’s governance transitioned from Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand to MacKillop Family Services under its specialist education arm, MacKillop Education.
Senator for NSW Deborah O’Neill (above, middle) congratulated the parents, staff and most of all students, who had registered 82% whole school attendance for the first two weeks of term this year – the highest ever school attendance rate achieved by Waranara.
“Waranara is somewhere special,” the Senator said. “This is a place that is all about you, and your capacity to learn - with the remarkable support network here of your teachers, the school, and your families, so you can regroup and reconnect with your learning journey.”
MacKillop CEO Robyn Miller who launched the school encourages students to continue their journey, no matter where they are at. “This is what ‘waranara’ means in the Gadigal language – ‘to seek’ – and we are thrilled to work with each student to seek and support their growth and talents.”
MacKillop Education Waranara School is an independent special assistance school supporting students in Years 9-12 who struggle to learn in a mainstream school environment. Students at Waranara have a trauma background, mental health diagnosis and/or other disabilities. Trauma-informed education understands the impact trauma has on students' wellbeing, learning and social skills and designs the learning and school environment around that," explains principal Rachael Peet.
“Waranara School has staff who understand student needs. The physical environment is also safe and calm, and students have the space to self-regulate if needed and then return to class.”
Sandra says her daughter senses that teachers care in Waranara. “She feels seen and appreciated just as she is.” Sandra is full of hope for the future. “I believe my child will finish Year 12 and that this would not have been possible in other schools,” she states.
MacKillop Education operates four specialist schools providing an alternative education model for those unable to engage in a mainstream school environment. Waranara is the first of its schools to operate in NSW.
For more information visit mackillop.org.au/waranara or call 02 8565 7600.
