Hymba Yumba Story
Revolutionising education
Hymba Yumba Independent School (HYIS) was founded in 2011 by Uncle Albert Holt and has been built upon the traditions of Indigenous culture, spiritualty and identity.
Situated in Springfield on the traditional land of the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people, the name of the school is from the Bidjara language group and was gifted to the school by founder, Uncle Albert Holt. Hymba meaning the development of skills in listening, reflecting, evaluating and planning and Yumba is the building and support for learning; the building of school and classroom routines and the building of community.
The school opened its doors with only 50 students and 8 staff members, and today has over 280 students and 40 staff making up the school community.
Community and culture is at the core of everything the school does. Hymba Yumba strives to ensure the jarjums are equipped with the tools they need to find their identity and place in the wider community so they can walk tall in both worlds.
“Education is the key to everything” Uncle Albert Holt
Hymba Yumba continues to be innovative in nature, embarking on and implementing new initiatives that work to deliver excellence in Indigenous education. Some recent successes include:
- Recognised for being a “standout school” in The Educator’s 6th annual Innovative School Awards in 2020
- The completion of a new STEAM building (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Technology)
- Connecting to the school’s natural surrounds which is situated upon one acre of country of the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people
The Hymba Yumba teaching philosophy is based upon crafting a bespoke experience for each jarjum and encouraging their strengths and building their confidence. By creating a nurturing and inspiring learning environment, jarjums develop an appetite for education.
