PACIFIC GULGANGALI JARJUMS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL GRACE ACROSS GAPS The ongoing story of Pacific Coast Christian School includes its relationship with the local community. In the Tweed area, where a significant Aboriginal population resides, this relationship is especially vital. During Dr Tina Lamont’s tenure as Principal, she established a bond of mutual care and respect with the local Aboriginal community, particularly with Pastors Willie and Sandra Dumas. Their shared goal was to provide young Aboriginal children with the same quality of Christian education available at Pacific Coast Christian School and Pacific Hope Christian School. This is the story of their school. Approximately ten years ago, a significant need was identified within the Aboriginal community in the Tweed area. As Pacific Coast and Pacific Hope schools were expanding, it became clear that more than one type of school was needed within their strong and developing ethos of care—specifically, a school for the Aboriginal community within the catchment area to meet the needs of their younger students. Over this decade, Dr Boyce, Pastor Willie and Sandra Dumas, Dr Tina, James van Gelderen, Kaya Lombaard, and a committee, developed a suitable plan through ongoing discussions with local Aboriginal Elders. A local pastor who also journeyed in this process was Pastor Adrien Itong, coming alongside this group from the very beginning of sharing the dream. He is a local Indigenous leader in the Tweed community with children in Pacific Coast Christian School and he continually expressed his support and commitment to the school. As a result of these connections and discussions, an Aboriginal school was established in 2022. Every step of the process was approached with prayer. For instance, finding the right Head Teacher was of critical importance. Although Chloe Allen was not a primary teacher and lived and worked outside the area in Bundjalung country, the Elders welcomed her because they admired her heart. They appreciated her attitude and warm nature during their discussions. Consequently, Chloe and her husband Mitch moved to Tweed Heads to take up positions at the schools. Another challenge was the naming of the school. It was essential that the chosen Aboriginal words reflected the vision and mission of the school and were selected in collaboration with local Elders. The name given to the school by a local Elder was Gulgangali Jarjums, meaning ‘kids moving forward.’Thus, the school became known as Pacific Gulgangali Jarjums Christian School. Understanding the desires of the local Indigenous community, Pastors Willie and Sandra wanted the school to have an Indigenous perspective, with strong connections and relationships with local Elders. They aimed for Christ to be the foundation of the school while incorporating Indigenous identity elements. They continually consulted with the Aboriginal Land Council and community Elders to ensure their approach was approved by the locals. In Pastor Willie’s words, “I felt the Lord wanted to bridge the gap for our kids, reach our community’s families, and address the education gap. This would be another way for them to be catered for in education.” 46
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