Principal's Message

Dear parents and carers, 

We are delighted to announce that St Luke’s Arrunga has received an Excellence Award in the category of Special Education School of the Year at the 2025 Australian Education Awards. This recognition places Arrunga among a small number of schools nationally being considered for the top honour in this category — a significant acknowledgement of the thoughtful and inclusive approach that shapes every aspect of learning at our college.

Arrunga is not a separate program on the edge of school life — it is an integral and celebrated part of our learning community. The strength of Arrunga lies in the way students, staff, and families work together to ensure that every child is supported to succeed academically, socially and personally.

Students at Arrunga are supported by individualised learning plans that guide their growth in literacy, numeracy, communication, and life skills. Across the year, students have made strong progress — not just in their learning, but in their confidence, independence and social engagement. They’ve worked alongside their peers in classes, contributed to creative and sporting events, performed on stage, and taken part in whole-school projects and celebrations.

Much of this success is due to the tireless efforts of the teachers and teacher assistants who work in close partnership with families and the wider school. Staff from Arrunga and the mainstream school collaborate — sharing strategies, co-teaching, and supporting each other’s professional growth, and working with each other and with all of our students in community. This ensures that inclusion isn’t something that happens occasionally — it’s part of how we learn and work together every day.

What we are most proud of is seeing students who once found social or academic participation challenging now thriving in all aspects of school life. They are achieving their goals, building relationships, and showing us what true learning, contribution, and community look like. 

I would like to acknowledge the work of Mrs Catherine Goodwill in leading this team alongside Mrs Alma George and Ms Madalena Novella- Oxford from CSPD for their support. I am very proud of the work that our teachers and students do at Arrunga and personally, it is one of my favourite places in the school.  Each teacher and teacher assistant is dedicated to ensuring consistent and regular individualised adjustments for every student in the space, and students not only share their joy in learning, but also work hard to achieve their potential.  

We thank you for continuing to support and celebrate every learner at St Luke’s.

Kelly Bauer

Principal Leader