About Us
Boarding school for Indigenous students twelve years and older from remote communities
About Yirara College
A Leading Indigenous Boarding School in Central Australia
Yirara College is a boarding school for Indigenous students aged 12 years and over, welcoming young people from remote communities across the Northern Territory, as well as neighbouring regions of South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland.
Yirara College is built on a strong foundation of faith, partnership, and community trust.
Our Heritage
Finke River Mission and Community Connection
Finke River Mission has a long and positive history of working alongside Aboriginal people across Central Australia. This enduring relationship has played a vital role in the success of Yirara College and continues to strengthen the confidence families place in us.
Parents choose Yirara as a trusted Christian boarding school, where their children are supported academically, socially, and spiritually.
Campus and Location
Boarding School Near Alice Springs
Yirara College is located just 7 kilometres south of Alice Springs along the Stuart Highway. Our 32-hectare campus includes:
• Modern classrooms and learning spaces
• Student boarding dormitories
• Sporting and recreational facilities
• Staff accommodation
• Outdoor camping areas
Alice Springs, a regional centre of approximately 25,000 people, is set among the stunning MacDonnell Ranges. The town offers a wide range of services, shops, and sporting opportunities that support student life and wellbeing.
A Christ-Centred Education
Academic and Boarding Excellence
Yirara College is a vibrant Christian learning community offering a wide range of academic, cultural, and recreational programs.
Our approach is built on two equally important and closely connected pillars:
Academic Program
Focused on education, literacy development, and preparation for future pathways.
Boarding Program
Providing a structured, supportive living environment that promotes wellbeing, routine, and personal growth.
“Yirara is a Christ-centred learning community where Indigenous students are empowered to prepare for their future.”
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.
Diverse Indigenous Communities
Students come to Yirara College from a vast geographic region, bringing a rich diversity of:
• Language groups
• Cultural backgrounds
• Community experiences
This diversity strengthens our school and enriches the experiences of all students.
As a full-time boarding school operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Yirara ensures consistent support, structure, and attendance throughout the academic year.
Language and Learning
Supporting English Literacy and Communication
A key focus at Yirara College is improving English literacy and communication skills.
Students are immersed in an environment where English is the primary language, providing daily opportunities to:
• Build confidence in speaking and listening
• Develop strong literacy skills
• Engage fully in academic learning
Cultural Respect and Inclusion
Honouring Aboriginal Identity and Values
While supporting English language development, Yirara College is deeply committed to respecting and celebrating Aboriginal cultures.
We recognise and honour:
• Cultural values and traditions
• Social structures and community expectations
• The worldviews of Aboriginal families
Our programs and daily practices reflect a balance of cultural identity and educational opportunity, ensuring students feel respected, safe, and valued.
Partnering with Families
Supporting Indigenous Students Together
Yirara College recognises the trust placed in us by parents and families. We work in close partnership with communities to ensure the best outcomes for every student.
All staff are committed to:
• Respecting family expectations
• Supporting student wellbeing
• Upholding cultural values
• Encouraging student success
Every aspect of life at Yirara reflects the aspirations and priorities of Aboriginal families
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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 YiraraTV, Joffa visits, we enjoy the Santos Power Cup & play in the Staff vs Students footy match
In YiraraTV, we enjoy a Clontarf Super Training, have our Diphtheria shots, and goto Ormiston Gorge.
