SCAS News

Our vision at St Columba Anglican School is to transform the lives of our students by offering the educational opportunities that will allow them to have lives of purpose, service and engagement. It is our mission to build a School with access to all who want their children to achieve the highest standards of education and behaviour.

We, therefore, are committed to improving the educational outcomes and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students so that they excel and achieve in every aspect of their education. We are a School that respects the strength, diversity and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

In fulfilling this commitment, St Columba Anglican School has dedicated staff responsible for supporting the School’s pursuit of excellence in education within the specific context of our Aboriginal students, their families and communities.

It is with pleasure that we introduce our newly appointed Indigenous Liaison Officer Mr Chris Tejcek. Chris has an extensive background in environmental science with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Protected Area management from the University of Queensland and at St Columba teaches Geography and Marine Studies. Two of his greatest passions are educating students on the importance of preserving and nurturing the natural environment and recognising the importance of Australia’s Indigenous culture and heritage.

In his role, Chris will be not only supporting our Indigenous students to achieve their potential but also working collaboratively with teaching staff to develop a curriculum of resources that represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, themes and cultures.

“I hope to create a ‘sense of place’ for the Indigenous community within our School and increase our School’s holistic ‘connection to country’. We are blessed with a School that has beautiful grounds and the adjacent Lake Innes Nature Reserve. I look forward to further utilising these resources and the value they have to connect our staff, students and associated community with a spiritual, emotional and very tangible ‘connection to country’,” says Chris.

In appointing an Indigenous Liaison Officer, SCAS hopes to strengthen connection and work collaboratively with the Indigenous community and make strides in our School’s Reconciliation action.

“With the help of our amazing staff, I look forward to improving the educational outcomes for our Indigenous students and their post-school opportunities,” says Chris.