Shirley Smith High School, the ACT’s newest public school, was officially named today; a plaque was unveiled at a naming ceremony to mark the occasion.

Shirley Smith High School opened this year in Kenny, welcoming its first cohort of year 7 students. Eventually, up to 800 students from east Gungahlin will attend.

The school honours Shirley Smith AM MBE (1921-1998), a Wiradjuri woman and prominent activist. She was a founding member of many important community services in Redfern, including the Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, the Aboriginal Housing Company, and the Aboriginal Children’s Service. She was involved in the establishment of the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs and in ongoing activism for land rights for Aboriginal people. Her advocacy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people influenced other communities to establish similar services.

The school has been designed with flexible learning in mind, and has a double gymnasium, covered hard court, an oval, and a multipurpose hall which the community can use.

Ngunnawal elder Aunty Tina Brown – a distant relative of Shirley Smith’s – conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony to officially welcome everyone to the site.

“It was wonderful to join with Shirley Smith’s next of kin Ann Weldon and other family members, all the students and teachers at the school to celebrate this milestone,” Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, said.

“A little more than four months ago, Shirley Smith High School opened its doors to its first cohort of students in year 7. These students are able to experience the high-quality learning environments at Shirley Smith and learn alongside the fantastic teachers and staff.

“The ACT Government remains committed to ensuring that every public school is a great school and that there will always be a place available for every student at their local public school.

“I would like to thank all those involved in the process of bringing Shirley Smith High School to life.”