Gumbaynggirr Giingana classes underway at NSW's first bilingual Indigenous school

Classes at GGFS have been running for six weeks after a three-week on-country orientation program. (ABC Coffs Coast: Arianna Levy)

The first bilingual Indigenous language school in New South Wales is up and running at Coffs Harbour on the state's mid north coast.

The Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS) combines conventional teaching with learning of Gumbaynggirr language and culture on country.

Tahnee Philp teaches the 13 kindergarten and year two students at a TAFE facility in Coffs Harbour.

She said the children were already engaged in a way she had never seen before.

"They are so engaged, so enthusiastic — I've never had a bunch of kids so driven about learning," Ms Philp said.

"We still stick to a very regular day – we do our spelling, reading, writing maths – but every aspect of our teaching ties back to culture.

"Every lesson will have language in it, go back to Dreaming and stories."

After eight years teaching in Sydney, Ms Philp said GGFS offered a dream opportunity to return home. (ABC Coffs Coast: Nick Parmeter)

Practical learning on country 

Nathan Brennan, the chief operations officer of the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC), helped design the concept of the school, along with chief executive Clark Webb.

Mr Brennan said once a week the students spent time on country, engaging in a more practical set of lessons.

Next year GGFS will offer classes for years three and four. (ABC Coffs Coast: Arianna Levy)

"We do a lot of that language play as part of being able to take that language and learn it," he said.

"That play language is really important, because children learn as they play — if we can incorporate that experience, it's going to build their fluency."

Clark Webb (left), seen here alongside Troy Robinson, is one of the driving forces behind GGFS.  (ABC Coffs Coast: Arianna Levy)

Mr Brennan said as far back as the 1980s Gumbaynggirr elders had envisioned a school like GGFS.

"It started long before I was even born," he said.

"They realised it was being lost.

Nathan Brennan said it was important to get the balance right. (ABC Coffs Coast: Arianna Levy)

Mr Brennan said working with the Department of Education and experts was necessary to ensure the best program for the students.

"It's important that not only do we provide culturally sound education to our students, [we need to] that we meet the standards as well and provide a safe learning environment for our young people."

Pride in Indigenous identity 

Rachael Cavanagh says her daughter is fully immersed in the learning style the school offers.

"My little one, she's just so happy and she wants to go to school the next day," Ms Cavanagh said.

"She tells stories of, 'Oh mum I heard about the Two Sisters Dreaming and I drew a picture of my country.'"

Rachael Cavanagh's daughter in Year 5 is jealous of her little sister and can't wait for the school to expand. (ABC Coffs Coast: Arianna Levy )

Ms Cavanagh said the school was offering a unique opportunity.

"Their safety around culture and language and community is really embedded in everything that they do," she said.

"It gives them that sense that it's OK to be black, and they're supported in that not just in the school but the wider community.