Canberra's 91st public school located in Kenny to be named after Shirley Smith

Ms Smith's great niece Ann Weldon said it was an honour for the $80 million high school in east Gungahlin to bear the name of a unique, gifted woman.

"It is wonderful to be here and I am so so proud that the ACT government have given recognition in naming this school after an incredible Australian treasure," Ms Weldon said.

"She was unique and I know that she'll be shining down on us and her spirit will certainly be filled, I believe, within this school."

Shirley Smith was born near Cowra, but her family moved to Sydney in the mid-1930s.

While living on Wiradjuri land, she assisted Aboriginal people facing criminal charges, and helped children regain their health and find their families while in her care.

She was the founding member of the Aboriginal Medical Service, Aboriginal Legal Service, the Aboriginal Housing Company and the Aboriginal Children's Service.

Ms Smith was also involved in the establishment of the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs and in ongoing activism for land rights for Aboriginal people, with her work influencing communities today.

Ms Weldon said her great aunt got the nickname "Mum" when visiting relatives in prison.

"She took in hundreds of kids and helped thousands and thousands [of people]," Ms Weldon said.

The ACT government chose the name in consultation with ACT Placenames, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body, and the United Ngunnawal Elders Council.

Shirley Smith High School will hold up to 800 students, with high quality general and specialist classes, ACT Minister for Education and Youth Affairs Yvette Berry said.

"We're really proud and honoured to be able to name our school here in the ACT after somebody like Shirley Smith," Ms Berry said.

"And I know this will be a school that will be valued, that will have a deep cultural integrity, deep knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, particularly with the land surrounding the space where they'll be able to really engage in looking after and caring for land."

The Education Directorate will run a community consultation on the school's logo and uniform now the name is known.

Inaugural principal Rebecca Pearce was excited to celebrate a milestone for the school.

"[I'm] able to now look at how we grow our community here at Shirley Smith High School, moving forward with our first students here on site with us and this inspirational building which will allow us to do some really amazing teaching and learning alongside our community," she said.

The school includes a double indoor court facility and flexible classrooms with sweeping views of the surrounding natural landscape.

Offers have been sent to 75 year 7 students to enrol for the start of next year but that cohort is expected to grow.

Franklin Primary School student Ben Franklin and Throsby School student Avery Buley were excited to get a first look at their high school as construction enters the final stages.

"I'm very excited. I can't wait to see all of the new facilities," Ben said.

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