St Mary’s College recently celebrated the success of its Mamalyjuran Nilabarri Middle Leaders’ Program, an initiative dedicated to enhancing Christ centred leadership and cultural awareness among our middle leaders across our K-12 College.
Developed in partnership with our Parish Priest, CEWA cultural advisors and teaching and learning and school improvement consultants, along with our college’s leadership team, the program aims to empower middle leaders with the skills and insights needed to support the College’s mission of Christ-centered, child-focused education on Yawuru country. The name “Mamalyjuran Nilabarri,” inspired by Yawuru words meaning “to guide” and “growth in knowledge,” reflects the program’s focus on nurturing leaders who contribute positively to both college culture and community.
Structured around a year-long series of modules, the program combines professional development with cultural immersion and faith-based learning. Each module addresses a key leadership theme, from building trust and psychological safety to managing challenging conversations and leading change. Participants began with a mini-retreat on Rubibi land, where they connected with local history, participated in spiritual reflection, and engaged with cultural leaders who shared stories of resilience and heritage. The program launch retreat was led by the College’s Parish Priest and our CEWA team providing a grounding experience in both faith and local cultural respect.
The modules, each guided by experts in Catholic education and leadership, offered participants practical strategies and self-reflective tools. Key sessions included the CEWA Leadership Framework, which provided evidence-based practices for middle leadership within a Catholic setting; an exploration of character strengths, where leaders developed personal visions aligned with their values; and training on giving and receiving constructive feedback. A standout module on self-awareness and empathy encouraged participants to explore personal biases and consider the impact of their leadership within our diverse community.
Additional sessions addressed pedagogical leadership, coaching for growth, and navigating complex conversations, all tailored to equip leaders for the demands of leading in the 21st century environment. In the final sessions, leaders worked on fostering high-performing teams and engaged in a cultural walkthrough of the College’s campuses, deepening their appreciation for the sacred land and the cultural heritage embedded in the college’s environment.
Ms Coby, our College Principal acknowledged the dedication and commitment shown by all participants, emphasising how this journey of growth and collaboration supports the College’s values of courage, love, empathy, acceptance, resilience and educational excellence through listening hearts. Our middle leaders are now equipped to guide their teams and students with renewed insight, respect, and a commitment to educational excellence, We look forward to the continued positive impact they will bring to our college and community. for years to come.
St Mary’s College extends gratitude to all contributors, in particular Ms Vikki Sibosado, School Support Consultant CEWA who was a driving force in making this dream a reality. We are delighted with our middle leaders who made this program possible, affirming its commitment to developing future-ready, culturally-aware leaders rooted in faith and community values. We look forward to phase two of our Mamalyjuran Nilabarri Middle Leaders’ Program 2025.
