A commitment to community, culture, language and connection at Briar Road Public School drives sustainable success.
Briar Road Public School on Dharawal Country in south-western Sydney, is experiencing a quiet revolution driven by a deep, decade-long commitment to community, culture, and connection. Principal Tammy Anderson, a Biripi woman and former student, returned to lead the school, establishing a foundation where language revitalisation and cultural leadership are daily realities. Anderson believes the principles that support Aboriginal children’s success work for all students.
The school fosters a deep sense of belonging through the revitalisation of the Dharawal language, training young Aboriginal tutors who gain valuable employment experience and reclaim their heritage. This visibility is embraced by the wider community, demonstrated when all Year 2 students, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, sing nursery rhymes in Dharawal. Extending this commitment, the school developed the "Tasman Sea School" to support its large Pasifika and Māori populations, focusing on Te Reo Māori with the help of a community member.
Cultural perspectives are not tokenistic extras but are deeply embedded across the entire curriculum, supported by specialised culture and curriculum teachers who build staff capacity. This action-led approach fosters genuine reconciliation and respect from the wider community. Aboriginal students and Torres Strait Islander students act as powerful drivers of change, holding formal roles in shaping school culture and policies through groups like the junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG). Despite systemic constraints, the school's investment in people and culture ensures high attendance and success rates, embedding core practices into the school’s DNA for sustainable thriving.
