About Us
John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School
At John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School, we seek to empower our students to become independent, walking with dignity and joy in their Aboriginal culture. We encourage them to find meaning and value in the Gospels in harmony with their Aboriginal spirituality.

The school situated in the Mulan Aboriginal Community, on the land of the Walmajarri people. Mulan is located in the South East Kimberley region which is a remote desert area of Western Australia on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert. It is one of the most ancient and isolated communities in Western Australia.

We are committed to the concept of Two Way Learning, which respects and fosters the traditional Aboriginal languages and culture of the area whilst also enabling children to learn Standard Australian English and culture. Our aim is to equip students with a type of education that can prepare them to live and succeed in the contemporary world while remaining strong in their cultural identity.

The school offers a holistic education, embracing the spiritual, religious, intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of all students. Relationships and learning are valued equally. We provide a variety of religious experiences which embrace and enhance Faith, Life and Culture.

The main educational focus is literacy and numeracy across all years. We have high expectations, and we are committed to developing independent learning skills.

We place emphasis on student needs, data analysis and appropriate teaching strategies. The school provides a variety of opportunities to enhance student leadership in the school and in the wider community. In the River Rangers Cadets program, our local Indigenous Protective Area Rangers are teaching students about traditional land care, plant use and animals.
Our Logo
School Name
John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School is the name given to the school by the Mulan community. Translated into English the name means “John the Desert Man” and in the eyes of the people represents John the Baptist.
Meeting Place Symbol
The meeting place symbol is culturally significant to Aboriginal men and women. It is a place where Aboriginal people meet, gather around, sitting in circles.
JPP school logo inverted colours white on red
The Pelican
Walany (the pelican) led our people from death to life. It led us to water. The water mentioned in the John the Baptist story is Lake Paruku - the lake used to bring people to repent and believe in God.
The Holy Cross

The Christian cross symbol represents the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified, leading to his glorious resurrection and the promise of eternal life to all who believe in him . The holy cross is universally recognised as the principal symbol of the Christian faith today.

Vision Statement
At John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School, we seek to empower our students to be responsible, respectful and proud young Australians. We encourage them to nurture the Gospel values in harmony with their Aboriginal spirituality.
Mission Statement
John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School consider the whole child in all areas of school life and aim to provide an environment where each student feels valued and accepted. Students are supported to reach their academic potential through a strong and varied curriculum. Gospel values underpin all learning areas and students and staff are encouraged to develop their faith through school and wider school community experiences.  Students deepen their Walmajarri knowledge through language lessons and cultural experiences facilitated by community members.
School History

John Pujajangka-Piyirn Catholic School is in Mulan, close to Lake Gregory (Paruku) in East Kimberley, Western Australia. Mulan is situated in the desert, however, its close proximity to Paruku means it takes in a vast desert wetland system of national and international significance. In 2001 the land became the first Western Australian Indigenous Protected Area when the land was handed back to the traditional owners the Walmajarri people.

Mulan Community and John Pujajangka-Piyirn were both established in 1979. The community wanted a christian education for their children. The Sisters of Mercy founded the school and continued their mission until 1994 when a lay Catholic Principal was appointed.