aboriginal learning, wellbeing and safety action plan

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Note: Throughout this document the term Koorie is used to refer to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Preston South Primary School embraces the vision of the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan and celebrates the culture, knowledge and experiences of First Nations Peoples. We are committed to creating and maintaining a school environment that empowers First Nations students to feel valued, respected and culturally strong.

Our school has a number of measures in place to ensure our community acknowledges and appreciates the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. These measures are outlined below.

Family and community perspectives and feedback

We actively seek participation and feedback from First Nations students, families and Community by:   

• acknowledging the existing knowledge of First Nations students and their families and seeking      their feedback on decisions that affect them, and on how well we are meeting their needs, through initial enrolment meetings, Student Support Groups and during the development of Individual Education Plans
• working with our regional Koorie Engagement Support Officers (KESOs) for advice on how we can create a culturally inclusive learning environment and to build our capacity to provide support for individual First Nations students attending our school
• partnering with our local Woiworung community to seek feedback and advice on existing and new actions we can take to support the diverse and unique identities and experiences of First Nations students and children in our community.

Training and professional development of staff

To ensure our staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to create and maintain a positive and inclusive school environment we:

• provide tailored training and professional development each year to build knowledge for specific staff based on any emerging or current areas of need
• ensure training and professional development equips teaching staff to deliver Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within the classroom curriculum
• support teachers to work in their Professional Learning Teams to map and develop teaching and learning activities within the Victorian Curriculum priorities to enable staff to build their confidence with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content and to recognise opportunities to draw upon Aboriginal pedagogies and practices within their classrooms
• ensure training and professional development equips staff with an understanding and appreciation of the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and its importance to the wellbeing and safety of First Nations children and students.

Curriculum and learning

Preston South Primary School supports the development of high expectations and individualised learning for First Nations students and creates a learning environment for all students that acknowledges, respects and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and identities. This includes: 

• implementing the Department of Education and Training’s Koorie Education Policy
• ensuring that all First Nations students have individual education plans developed in partnership with students, families, and KESOs.

Assemblies and other school events and activities

We ensure our school events and activities acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by:   

• acknowledging the Country and Traditional Owners of the land on which our school is located at the start of every school assembly and meeting
• arranging Welcome to Country by local Elders at major school events such as the opening of new buildings or campuses
• arranging incursions and excursions, and recognising key events and anniversaries that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

Built and digital environment

We ensure our built environment and our website demonstrates an appreciation and acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through:

• flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on school grounds.
• displaying plaques/signs outside our main entrance that  Acknowledge Country and Traditional Owners 
• including an Acknowledgement of Country and Traditional Owners on our website 

Review and feedback

We recognise that our school’s practices must be regularly reviewed and updated in partnership with our families and local communities. We encourage you to contact Leon Leonidas with any feedback, concerns or suggestions.

Created date: 05/09/2022

Consultation with: School Council

Date: 05/09/2022

Endorsed by: School Council

Endorsed on: 06/09/2022

Next review date: August 2024