Our Aboriginal Education Team consists of Martine Turnbull (Aboriginal Education Teacher) and Daniel Giles, Chloe Shorrock and Uncle Barney Lindsay (Aboriginal Secondary Education Transition Officers (ASETOs)). The team works closely with staff, students and the community to improve educational outcomes for Aboriginal students and to embed Aboriginal perspectives in the curriculum. Recently, our year 7 HASS classes, led by Athina Papametis, Biljana Elliott and Daniel Giles, have delivered sessions addressing racism. This has generated some excellent conversation and has been very well received. The information gathered will assist in the development this year of an anti-racism policy specific to our site.

The Aboriginal Education Team also form the core of the Reconciliation Action Plan Group. This group meets once or twice a term and also includes parents, students, community members and staff. Keep an eye on the newsletter for updates on our past successes and future plans.

Congratulations to Daniel Giles (ASETO) who has successfully secured a place in the Milparanga Established Leadership Program in Western Australia in May this year. This program supports experienced Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders with increasing their impact, influencing positive change, and resolving conflict. Daniel will have the opportunity to build his capabilities through challenging experiences that honour indigenous learning systems, philosophies and cultural identities and create networks to drive systematic change. Daniel will also gain empowerment to engage in storytelling and advocating for positive change. We are very excited to see what Daniel brings back from this fabulous opportunity.

Save the Date - Calling all Aboriginal students and families! Please keep an eye on your letterbox for an invitation to gathering at the high school (likely to be in week 8). We want to know how best to support you and your student/s to achieve the best educational outcomes at school: What is working well? What are the suggestions for improvements? We look forward to meeting with you.

Danielle Weeks
Assistant Principal
Director of Inclusion