The Education Directorate are committed to developing staff capability to identify, challenge and question their own cultural assumptions, values and beliefs. It seeks to provide an organisational culture where individual strengths are honoured and validated, and where individuals contribute to a dynamic, reflective and responsive school or workplace.
Supporting our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to reach their potential is a key focus for the Directorate.
Cultural integrity across all ACT public schools and the Education Support Office helps to achieve this. The implementation of cultural integrity means schools will:
- be culturally safe places for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and staff;
- be accountable for meeting the aspirations, learning and wellbeing needs of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students;
- develop all staff and students’ understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, languages and knowledge systems through professional learning and curriculum delivery;
- develop and maintain genuine, collaborative and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents, families, local community members, service providers and agencies;
- actively represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions to contemporary society in their physical infrastructure and online presence;
- support and provide opportunities for all staff to build their knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, languages and knowledge systems; and
- regularly evaluate and refine their practices to ensure that cultural integrity is achieved and retained.
Farrer Primary School is part of a Reconciliation Action Plan prepared by a team of staff members across the South/Weston cluster. This includes Mawson Primary School, Torrens Primary School, Melrose High School and Canberra College. The team meets regularly to advance the goals outlined in the plan.
Team members share the ways their schools are working to develop staff and students' understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, histories, knowledge and language through teaching and learning programs. As a cluster we acknowledge significant events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
National Reconciliation Week art created by students Preschool - Year 6 based on the NRW poster design by Nikita Ridgeway.
Mt Taylor is a significant landmark in the South/Weston area of Canberra.
Every year our classes P-6 discuss and develop personalised Acknowledgements of Country. These are shared at Monday messages, assemblies and in the newsletter throughout the year. The purpose of this is to support children in understanding what an Acknowledgement of Country means.
Samples of Kindergarten and Year 5 Acknowledgement of Country.