About Us
Boarding school for Indigenous students twelve years and older from remote communities
Yirara College of the Finke River Mission is a boarding school for Indigenous students twelve years and older from remote communities in the Northern Territory and across the Territory border from South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland.
Yirara operates under the auspices of Finke River Mission which is the mission arm of the Lutheran Church of Central Australia.
Finke River Mission has a long and positive history with the Aboriginal people of Central Australia and has contributed to the success of the College and the confidence the parents show in choosing it as a Christian environment in which their children can attend school.
Yirara is located 7km south of Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway. The site covers 32 hectares and includes school buildings, dormitories for students, sporting facilities, staff accommodation and camping areas.
Alice Springs is a regional centre of 25 000 people. It is nestled in the picturesque MacDonnell Ranges. The town offers a wide variety of shops and services, and excellent sporting and recreational facilities.
Yirara College is a vibrant and busy Christian educational community, providing a wide range of teaching and recreational programs for its students. The College has two closely interwoven areas. One is the academic program; the other is the boarding program, both being equally important.
Yrara College is a vibrant and busy Christian educational community, providing a wide range of teaching and recreational programs for its students.
The College has two closely interwoven areas. One is the academic program; the other is the boarding program, both being equally important.
“Yirara is a Christ centered learning community where Indigenous students are empowered to prepare for their future.”
Students come to Yirara College from remote communities throughout the Northern Territory and beyond the Territory borders.
The large area from which our students come results in a community made up of diverse language groups and cultural variances.
Yirara College is a 24 hour, 7 days per week boarding school during the 4 terms of the academic year. As all students board at the Cllege, and therefore regular attendance at school is supported.
A prerequisite to improving the literacy of Aboriginal students is improving English oracy. At Yirara College students are immersed in an environment where english is the predominant language. This provides opportunity for students to think and speak in English.
Equally important is that this environment acknowledges and respects the values, social mores and world view of Aboriginal society. It is important that all staff coming to the College recognise, respect and support the values and stated wishes of the Aboriginal parents and families who entrust their children to the care of the College. All activities at Yirara College seek to reflect the culture, the expectations and the agenda of Aboriginal families.
Recent news
In our first YiraraTV for term two we go out bush, travel the world for Harmony Day and enjoy Zumba. YiraraTV, So Good !!
