Introduction to our College

Djarragun College is situated on the Bruce Highway just north of Gordonvale. The College was set up expressly for the delivery of excellent educational programmes to indigenous Australians.

The College promotes excellence in education with a strong emphasis on values education which are underpinned by Christian values. Currently our students come from the Torres Strait Islands, Cape York communities, Cairns, Yarrabah, Gordonvale, Aloomba and surrounding suburbs.

The College is an independent school controlled by a Board of Directors. The Anglican diocese of North Queensland and the Chairman of the Board are members of the company limited by guarantee. The College has its own constitution which sets the parameters from which the College operates.

One of the reasons for our success to date is due to our strong pastoral care programme that caters for the emotional and social needs of all our students. We believe in discipline in a loving and supportive environment and provide guidance and counselling for students at risk. We strive to work with students with behavioural concerns to turn these behavioural issues around and have experienced a degree of success in this area. Staff receive on going professional development to update them on the latest methodologies for behaviour management and this coupled with their enthusiasm and commitment to making a difference has been the key to our success.

The College places great emphasis on competency in literacy and numeracy as well as in developing skills that will support the students become active and contributing citizens of the global community. We offer programmes that will support the development of each student spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically.

OVERVIEW OF DJARRAGUN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME

The College caters for students from Pre reader through to year 12. We also offer year 13 for post school students enrolled in various certificate courses. The full range of courses we offer is as follows:

Prep Year
Students are engaged in programmes that support the transition to school life. The focus is on the development of literacy, numeracy and social skills and sound values.

Years 1 - 7 Primary School
At this level the foundations of excellence in education, behaviour and values are emphasised through a needs based curriculum. There is a great emphasis on consolidating skills in literacy and numeracy.

Years 8 - 10 Middle School
During these years we guide students towards independent learning in preparation for Senior Secondary. Through extension programmes that follow on from Primary, students are taught skills to become independent learners in a caring and nurturing, yet disciplined environment. Subject options across a wide area of interests, are offered to support students make choices about their future.

Years 11 - 12 Senior Secondary
Students are given broader experiences in various subjects to help them establish where their interests and skills lie. Students are supported in achieving excellent educational outcomes. We have a strong Vocational Education component to our Senior Secondary where students study certificate courses and are able to take part in part time traineeships. The College delivers the Queensland Studies Authority syllabus for all subjects across the school including in years 11 and 12.

Year 13
Students are enrolled in various TAFE certificate courses on a full time basis. All students are enrolled in two certificate courses of their choice. We call this our 'blended' VET programme. The certificate courses we offer are:

  • Business Administration
  • Music
  • Information Technology
  • Multimedia
  • Engineering
  • Construction
  • Automotive (mechanics)
  • Carpentry
  • Hairdressing
  • Sports and Recreation
  • Hospitality
  • Art
  • Marine and Aquatic Practices

Cultural activities
Djarragun recognises and respects the cultural diversity of our students. We celebrate this through our Performing and Visual Arts programme as well as through the study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander courses. The school celebrates special events such as NAIDOC, Mabo Day and Coming of the Light as well as taking part in relevant festivals such as the Laura Dance Festival.

Boarding
The college offers on site boarding facilities in a caring and loving home environment where strict yet fair discipline underpins all activities.

Transport
The College provides buses to transport day students from a number of suburbs in the Cairns area and also from Yarrabah.