Indigenous Community
Indigenous Education
Warrnambool College has a student population of around 1050, with approximately 94 identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
As with many regional communities, our Indigenous students come from a wide range of Nations and language groups across Australia, with a smaller number having direct connections to Gunditjmara Country. We deeply value the rich culture, language, and history of the Traditional Owners of the land on which our college stands, and we strive to celebrate and embed this heritage throughout our school community.
Our College is committed to creating a culture of pride, respect, and belonging for all Indigenous students. We aim to empower them as future leaders—strong in their identity, confident in their abilities, and ready to make a positive difference in their communities and beyond. We want every student to leave Warrnambool College proud of who they are, grounded in their culture, and equipped to build understanding and connection between cultures.
We promote educational success and wellbeing through a range of targeted programs and supports, including:
- Academic tutoring, in-class assistance, and scholarship support
- Stars Foundation
- Clontarf Academy
- Koorie Academy of Excellence
- Mentoring and well-being support
- Career pathway guidance
- Strong engagement with our Koorie Engagement Support Officer team
- Extracurricular and cultural programs promoting healthy lifestyles and leadership
- Koorie Reference Group
Clontarf Academy
The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, self-esteem, life skills and employment prospects of young Aboriginal men. By doing so, it equips them to participate more meaningfully in society. The Warrnambool Clontarf Academy engages students through a diverse range of in-school and extra-curricular activities planned within the focus areas of education, leadership and life skills, employment, healthy lifestyles and sport. Warrnambool College provides the academic education program, while Clontarf provides the mechanism to engage the boys in the school environment.
This is an engagement program. The strong bond and mutual respect between the students and Academy staff are pivotal to achieving positive outcomes for the students.
The program enables the development of self-esteem and positive attitudes towards health, education and employment by exposing participants to a wide range of life experiences that challenge and expand their aspirations. Sport and other experiential learning are used to engage students in an environment that is welcoming, safe and supportive, allowing the development of confidence and improved educational performance.
We find employment, training and study options for our graduates, assisting in all aspects of preparing for work and supporting students through the transition from school to employment. Our Academy and Employment staff work closely with employers to develop effective mentoring and support, particularly during each graduate’s first year in the workforce.
Stars Foundation
Stars provides a holistic program that supports Indigenous girls and young women to attend and remain engaged at school, complete Year 12, and move into work or further study.
The program is built on strong, trusting relationships. The Stars Room offers a culturally safe and welcoming environment — a place where girls and young women feel nurtured, supported, and inspired.
Our full-time Mentors deliver a diverse range of activities designed to help our Stars develop self-esteem, confidence, and essential life skills. These experiences empower participants to succeed at school and transition into positive, independent futures