Yipirinya School welcomes Shane Cumming as new interim principal

The school’s new leader brings more than 25 years of experience in education as both a primary school teacher and principal, including more than a decade as a principal.

Yipirinya School is proud to welcome Shane Cumming as our new interim principal.

Shane is a proud First Nations leader with strong cultural and community ties.

His mother’s family is Wadandi Noongar from the south west of WA, in the Margaret River region, and his father’s family is Ngadju/Mirrning Wongatha from the south eastern Desert region of WA, on the western side of the Nullabor Plain.

Shane brings over 25 years of experience in education as both a primary school teacher and principal, including more than a decade as a principal.

Shane was a member of the WA Primary Principals Association and the Australian Primary Principals Association, where he served two years on the National Executive Council.

He was also a founding member and co-chairperson of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principals Association.

Shane has worked in a variety of school education contexts, from teaching in remote Aboriginal community schools in the Kimberley region, as an Aboriginal Education consultant to schools in the Desert region, and as a principal in large mainstream schools in regional centres of Western Australia.

YSC Management Committee aims to work very closely with Shane over the coming months, setting the school into a new direction of positive learning and creating safe spaces for our growing school community, with a focus on the safety of our students.

The committee and leadership team are committed to working with Shane to deliver high-quality, culturally respectful education that supports the growth and success of every student here at Yipirinya.

Yipirinya School welcomes Shane Cumming as new interim principal.

This is a valuable opportunity to focus on strong classroom learning, student wellbeing, and positive school culture.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to join Yipirinya School and continue the important work of educating our students,” Shane said.

“It was the strength of the Board’s vision that led me to take on this opportunity — a school grounded in deep values, driven by its community, and committed to a two-way education model that respects both Aboriginal and Western learning.

“That kind of purpose and leadership can be transformational for students, families and school communities, and it’s something I’m proud to be part of.”

Shane’s appointment comes at an important time, and the committee is confident he will bring steady leadership and clear communication to support our students.

His role will focus on strengthening learning across the school and ensuring it remains a safe, supportive environment where every child can thrive.

This is an exciting time for the Yipirinya School community, and we warmly welcome Shane into our community.

Together, we’re looking ahead with confidence and a commitment to transformational change, creating the best possible future for our students.

The school community will get an opportunity to meet him at the next Family Day on June 19.