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In 2020, NCOSS received philanthropic funding to seed a school-based community hub that aimed to improve the learning outcomes for the students at that school by taking a culturally-safe, place-based, integrated, family centred approach to supporting a community to overcome structural disadvantage.
The work was modelled on the well-established ‘Our Place‘ approach in Victoria, and on the evidence base regarding what is required to support the learning and development needs of children living in communities of deep and concentrated disadvantage. In 2021 NCOSS formed a partnership with the Ashcroft Public School in south western Sydney. The establishment of Mirrung in 2022 has been transformative for the school community.
‘Mirrung‘ means ‘belonging’ in Dharug. It reflects the goal of the School Gateway Project to provide a place for students and their families to feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Each year Social Outcomes prepares a report to measure the impact of this initiative. Read them below.
‘Mirrung‘ means ‘belonging’ in Dharug. It reflects the goal of the School Gateway Project to provide a place for students and their families to feel safe, accepted, and supported.
Mirrung’s Key Impacts
Mirrung measures its success through the following key metrics:
Attendance – students come to school more often
School attendance is a critical contributor to a child’s academic achievement. In 2025 Ashcroft Public School had a 90.4% attendance rate up from 82.5% in 2022. The current rate is above the Liverpool network average of 84.8% and above the NSW state average of 88%.
Academic growth – student performance is improving
Ashcroft Public School students have shown impressive academic growth in the period since Mirrung’s establishment. Ashcroft Public School leadership and teachers drew a strong link between the support provided through Mirrung and student’s learning performances.
In 2025 44% of year 1 students are reaching stage expectations in Phonics assessment, compared to just 12% in 2022.
Wellbeing – students feel connected and safe
In 2025 97% of students said that they felt a positive sense of belonging at the school, above a state average of 86%.
100% of parents said that the school understands what their child and family need.
Mirrung has had a positive impact on Ashcroft Public School staff
93% of staff said that their understanding of the impact of poverty on students and their families is better because of Mirrung and 87% of staff said that their wellbeing is better because of the support that Mirrung provides to students and their families.
Mirrung is sparking a culture shift at Ashcroft Public School with a family-focused approach.
Mirrung is no longer a description of a specific ‘’wellbeing space’ in the school where students and parents can go for support, Mirrung now describes a whole-of-school culture. This culture emphasises that there should be ‘no wrong door’ for a family seeking assistance, that relationships matter, and that this school can offer a safe place for families to access critical health and social services that otherwise seem out of reach.
The Mirrung Model
The Mirrung model has four key elements underpinned by a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
Student Engagement and Enrichment
Integrated Health and Wellbeing
Family Engagement
Excellence in Early Learning
Student Engagement and Enrichment
Mirrung supported the introduction of extracurricular activities at Ashcroft Public School in 2023 after community consultations highlighted that parents and children really wanted the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities but found them too hard to access in the Ashcroft area and unaffordable for many families.
Students can now attend a diverse range of activities including Pacific Islander dance, ukelele, bracelet making, painting, soccer, basketball and boardgames.
“Their self-confidence has improved … with the afterschool programs they are really doing something beneficial for them that is making them feel happier and that is improving their confidence.” – Ashcroft Public School parent
Integrated Health and Wellbeing
Central to the Mirrung approach is support for the health and wellbeing needs of children and families. In addition to fostering an environment where students and families feel safe and valued, Mirrung seeks to reduce barriers faced by many families in accessing community support services.
Among other things, Mirrung supports school-wide health interventions, allied health support, regular paediatrician clinics and NDIS service access.
‘Mirrung has brought counselling, and counselling for parents as well. They are on the ball, and if we ask for something, they try and get it. If they can’t get it they say that they might try soon.’ – Ashcroft Public School parent
Family Engagement
Family engagement is a critical sign of a thriving school community and is a key element of the Mirrung approach.
Positive engagement with families builds trust between families and the school leading to positive education and wellbeing outcomes for students.
Mirrung also offers parents a range of engagement and learning opportunities which includes activities such as flower arranging, painting, laptop skills and parenting programs.
“It is a very good thing to have these [parent] courses offered in the school – normally I would just go home and sit around and do nothing, it actually gets us out of the house and wanting to do something with our lives.” – Ashcroft Public School parent
Excellence in Early Learning
Early intervention is crucial for ensuring that children receive the best start in life. This is particularly important for children and families experiencing disadvantage.
Ensuring that children can access excellent early learning is a key element of the Mirrung approach. Mirrung aims to support 3 early learning outcomes:
- More children living in Ashcroft access early years education
- Children in early years education access support to meet their developmental milestones
- Children transition well from early learning to Kindergarten.
“I think that the school culture has changed. There is a deeper shared understanding about disadvantage.” – Ashcroft Public School Executive
Evidence, evaluation and advocacy
We are building an evidence-based program and are sharing these insights with education system decision makers and service providers. We hope that what we learn can help support other communities that experience entrenched and concentrated disadvantage.
Contact the team:
If you’d like to learn more about our program, contact Olivia Wright, Program Director.