One of the ACT’s newest schools is proudly carrying the name of late senior Ngunnawal Elder, Aunty Agnes Shea.
Aunty Agnes Josephine Shea OAM dedicated most of her life to bettering the world for future generations of Aboriginal Australians. She worked tirelessly in many different roles for the varying range of communities that call Ngunnawal Country home.
Her achievements and dedication have been recognised over the years. In 2001 she was awarded the Centenary Medal. In 2004, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia.
In 2010, she was awarded an ACT Senior Citizen of the Year award. She also gained a place on the ACT Honour Walk the same year.
The Aunty Agnes Shea High School opened its doors this year, welcoming Year 7-10 students in the growing ACT suburbs of north Gungahlin.
The school’s logo and uniform design derive from the artwork ‘Journeys’ about Aunty Agnes Shea. Contributing artist, Selina Walker is Aunty Agnes Shea’s granddaughter – she gifted ‘Journeys’ to the school.
The logo was co-designed with Aunty Agnes Shea’s family. The school’s first cohort of students and their families also contributed to how ‘Journeys’ is shown on the school uniform.
The school features state-of-the-art learning spaces and is also fully electric in its operations. The buildings use sustainable materials and a large solar panel array.
Students can also enjoy:
- a double gym with basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball and badminton markings;
- a covered hard court suitable for basketball and netball;
- kickabout spaces for ball sports;
- external fitness equipment.
Spaces in the school are also available for community use.
“As the Foundation Principal, I am deeply honoured to lead our community on this exciting journey. Watching our school building take shape throughout 2024 was a truly remarkable experience. During this time, our dedicated staff worked relentlessly to prepare meaningful teaching and learning programs for our inaugural Year 7 students,” said Principal, Daniel Mowbray (pictured, right).
“Together, our school community selected Kindness, Inclusivity, and Curiosity to be our school values. These principles guide every step our community takes, ensuring that our actions reflect the legacy of the late Ngunnawal elder, Aunty Agnes Shea, for whom our school is named.
“Aunty Agnes was a fierce advocate for education and inclusion. At Aunty Agnes Shea High School, we are committed to creating a truly inclusive learning environment, where all students feel a strong sense of belonging and experience high-quality teaching, tailored to each individual’s learning needs.
“I firmly believe that schools belong to their students and the community they serve. In 2024, it was a privilege to work alongside our incoming students, the wider community, and Aunty Agnes’ family, to help shape the early identity of Aunty Agnes Shea High School. Contributions from our community in areas such as the school logo, uniform, values, and more have been invaluable. I look forward to continuing this collaborative spirit in 2025, as we continue to shape the future of our school,” he said.
